Birds in Roman Life and Myth

Dr Ashleigh Green is a graduate of The University of Melbourne and a fellow of the State Library of Victoria. Her research interests include the study of birds in the classical world, and more generally what human-animal studies can tell us about societies both past and present. She was the 2021 recipient of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies Early Career Award and a 2022 Virtual Fellow for the Centre for the History of Emotions.

The title of the series “Global Perspectives on Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology,” of which Green’s monograph is the inaugural volume, helps the reader refine his/her expectations, as it suggests a focus on the physical remnants of avian bones and avian detritus; yet at the same time, “Global Perspectives” points at a breadth not limited to an archaeological lens. Indeed, Green’s work (and I assume the goal of the series) moves beyond disciplinary divisions and instead tackles the topic from a range of approaches and sources: zooarchaeological evidence, (e.g., in her discussion of chickens on p. 96) and, just as importantly, its absence (e.g., the absence of peacock bones from Roman archaeological sites, p. 118); a range of literary works (e.g., by Columella, Juvenal, and Pliny); and an array of artistic works, including paintings, mosaics, and carvings. Using this range of primary sources, Green successfully shows how “taking a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of history is an effective method for interpreting and understanding cultural beliefs and social stratification” (p. 7).- Alison L. Beringer, Montclair State University

• Introduction; 1. Omens, Augury, and Auspices; 2. The Augural Chickens; 3.Farming and Aviculture; 4. Fowling and Bird-Catching; 5. Pets and Pleasure