ro·man ethno-zo·ol·o·gy

Ro·man: of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome

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animals with religious significance:

State religion and religious cults often required animals for sacrifice in honor of the gods. Others had special symbolism which enabled them to live long, pampered lives.

Some of the animals which were sacrificed or honored included:

• bulls,oxen,heifers- Beef was the most common sacrifice in Ancient Rome.
• sheep- Sacrificed to Jupiter, Juno, Janus, Mars, Terminus, Faunus, and other deities, sheep were widely used by state religion. In cults, male lambs were offered to Divi, and females were offered to Divae. Ram blood was a popular ceremonial object.
• pigs- Domesticated pigs were sacrificed often by farmers.
• goats- Goats were widely used by poorer Romans as because they were a cheap and easily obtainable sacrificial animal.
• elephants- Symbol of light and life and victory over darkness and death, the elephant was believed to be a worshipper of Helios/Sol (the sun god). This belief began because the elephant raises its trunk to the adoration of the sun. Because of this connection with light, the elephant often carried torches at public events. Elephants were also associated with eternity and the after-life because of their longevity.
• lions- Believed to be draft animals for deities, the lion was respected by religious leaders. Lions apparently pulled chariots for the gods. They are also the religious symbol of the power of death, and are represented in funerary art.
• turtles- Considered loathsome and the embodiment of evil, turtles were known for their unclean spirit which dwelt in Hell.
• eagle- The eagle was the symbol of victory over death.
• cocks- Cocks were regularly sacrificed to the Lares (spirits who watch over a home or community).
• snakes- Snakes were associated with deities of healing and fertility, and represented the beneficent spirits of the dead. They were also known for their prophetic abilities.
• frogs- In Roman art and folklore, the frog is associated with birth and ritual rebirth.
• flamingo- The flamingo and its blood were sacrificed in honor of certain emperors.
• peacocks- The symbol of the sky because of its circular tail which looked like the vault of heaven jeweled with stars, the peacock was also sacrificed in honor of emperors. It was also a symbol of immortality.
• doves- As they are still viewed today, Romans considered the dove a symbol of peace.
• dog- A symbol of death and healing, the likeness of the dog was found in graves. It was credited for healing the dead through enabling rebirth into the after-life.
• foxes- Foxes were used in a ritual in Rome on April 19th during the festival of Ceres. They would be let loose in the Circus Maximus with lighted torches tied to their tails and would be allowed to burn to death for the amusement of the crowd.

Service, Hunted game, Pets, Food and Other animals