scholarly journals Animals in ancient Greek warfare : a study of the elephant, camel, and dog

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jenna Rae Rice
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Alexander The Great ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Ancient Warfare ◽  
The Military

My dissertation asserts that the study of animals is integral to the thorough understanding of the ancient military landscape, and three animals in particular warrant particular attention: the elephant, camel, and dog. I place these animals into the broader context of ancient warfare through the use of human-animal studies, zoological research, archaeological studies, and careful historical analysis, proving their impact in the Greco Macedonian military. I contend that the war elephant's tactical significance is overstated by modern scholarship and requires a re-evaluation, concluding that due to a combination of physiological and behavioral reasons, elephants were not compatible with Greek military practices. They were, however, compatible with Diadoch politics, and were used by generations of Seleucids and Ptolemies as an emblem of legitimacy, martial strength, and royalty. I consider the military value of the camel within the Greek realm, arguing that it has been largely ignored and requires analysis from a fresh perspective. I use recent zoological studies to argue against scholarship that dismisses the camel's abilities to tolerate extreme environments, and I assess the its value within the army of Alexander the Great through a series of specific case studies. Subsequently, I investigate the use of dogs in the ancient military sphere through a study of literary and archaeological sources. I show how dogs participated both directly in battle (Ionia) and in a more auxiliary fashion as guards, hunters, and companions. Finally, I present a survey of scientific archaeological, and historical studies of the ancient warhorse, considering its status within the scholarly community as a goal and model for future studies of other animals that functioned in the ancient military sphere.

scholarly journals Capturing The Ancient Animal: Human/Animal Studies and the Classics

2017 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 213-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Kindt
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Turn Of The Millennium ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Classical Scholarship ◽  
Classical Studies ◽  
Roman Culture ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis article reviews several books published since the turn of the millennium that explore the role and representation of animals in different areas of ancient Greek and Roman culture. Despite differences in focus and outlook, these books herald the arrival within classical studies of the questions, concepts and methods of human/animal studies as an emerging field of enquiry. This article takes their publication as an opportunity to take stock and to outline the relationship between these disciplines. I explore how current research on ancient animals resonates both in existing debates in classical scholarship and within the context of the larger interdisciplinary debate. I also suggest how this debate can point to productive avenues for further enquiry in classical studies. More specifically, I argue that the interdisciplinary debate sets an important agenda, which should be embraced more fully by classical studies. Classical scholarship on the role, function and perception of animals in different areas of ancient Greek and Roman life can provide important insights into one aspect of the heritage – Western conceptions of humanity and the place of the animal within it – which has not yet received the attention it deserves. I conclude that classical scholarship can make a significant contribution to the interdisciplinary debate, helping it deliver on its stated goal of examining and challenging Western concepts of self, as well as the ideologies of ‘the other’ underpinning them.

OVERCOME AND UNAVOIDABLE BARBARISM: DISCIPLINE OF THE MACEDONIAN INFANTRY IN THE AGE OF PHILIP II AND ALEXANDER THE GREAT

2021 ◽  
pp. 360-388
Author(s):  
А.А. КЛЕЙМЕНОВ
Keyword(s):  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
Corporate Identity ◽  
Alexander The Great ◽  
Philip Ii ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Disciplinary Problems ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Military

Цель исследования заключается в анализе дисциплинированности македонской пехоты эпохи великих завоеваний IV в. до н.э. Задачами являются рассмотрение мероприятий Филиппа II, направленных на повышение дисциплины в македонской армии, определение их эффективности, выявление сути дисциплинарных проблем, характерных для фалангитов времен Филиппа и Александра. Исследование опиралось на всесторонний анализ античных письменных источников, сравнительно-исторический метод, метод контент-анализа. Определено, что традиционно для пешего ополчения царства Аргеадов, как и для аналогичного компонента вооруженных сил соседних «варварских» народов, была свойственна низкая дисциплинированность. Посредством интенсивных тренировок, введения системы поощрений и взысканий Филиппу II удалось привить македонским пехотинцам дисциплину, высокий уровень которой был продемонстрирован в войнах за господство на Балканском полуострове, а затем подтвержден в период Восточного похода Александра. Базисом дисциплинарных мотивов фалангитов следует считать выгоды от принадлежности к царской армии и сформировавшуюся корпоративную идентичность. Тем не менее, большое военное значение корпуса македонских пехотинцев и его сплоченность сделали возможными и массовые выступления, в ходе которых воины открыто протестовали против военно-стратегических и политико-административных решений монарха, не соответствующих интересам войска. The main aim of this research is the analysis of the Macedonian infantry discipline in the period of the great conquests of 4th century BC. The research objectives are the review of Philip’s II actions to improve the Macedonian army discipline, the determining their effectiveness, the identifying the essence of disciplinary problems which are connected with the phalangites of Phillips and Alexander’s times. A multi-faceted approach to the ancient narrative sources, methods of comparative historical analysis and content analysis have been used. It defends that traditionally for infantry militia of the Argead Kingdomas well as for a similar component of the neighboring barbarian societies’ armed forces the law discipline was typical. Through intensive training, the introduction of a system of rewards and penalties, Philip II managed to instill for the Macedonian infantry discipline which high level was demonstrated in wars of domination in Balkan Peninsula and confirmed during the Alexander's Asian expedition. The phalangites’disciplinary motives were based on benefits of belonging to the royal army and an established corporate identity. However, the great military importance of the Macedonian infantry and their unity made possible mass demonstrations, during which the military protested against the military–strategic and political–administrative decisions of the monarch, which did not correspond to the interests of the army.

Warfare and Environment in the Ancient World

2013 ◽  
pp. 127-140
Author(s):  
J. Donald Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Natural Environment ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Near East ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Ancient World ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Environmental Properties ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Ancient Warfare ◽  
The Military

This chapter deals with ancient warfare and the environment. Hunting was often been considered as a form of warfare, and art frequently portrayed humans in battle with animals. Armed conflict had its direct influences on the environment. Along with damage to settled agriculture, warfare had affected other lands such as pastures, brush lands, and forests. It is noted that birds, pigs, bears, rodents, snakes, bees, wasps, scorpions, beetles, assassin bugs, and jellyfish have been employed as weaponized animals in ancient warfare, which, in the Mediterranean area and Near East, had vital environmental properties. The direct effects of battle have been shown by ancient historians, but just as important were the influences of the military-oriented organization of societies on the natural environment and resources.

scholarly journals Development and Application of the Owner-Bird Relationship Scale (OBRS) to Assess the Relation of Humans to Their Pet Birds

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Kathrin Burmeister ◽  
Katrin Drasch ◽  
Monika Rinder ◽  
Sebastian Prechsl ◽  
Andrea Peschel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Sociological Approach ◽  
Pet Birds ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Only a few birds besides domestic pigeons and poultry can be described as domesticated. Therefore, keeping a pet bird can be challenging, and the human-avian relationship will have a major influence on the quality of this cohabitation. Studies that focus on characterizing the owner-bird relationship generally use adapted cat/dog scales which may not identify its specific features. Following a sociological approach, a concept of human-animal relationship was developed leading to three types of human-animal relationship (impersonal, personal, and close personal). This concept was used to develop a 21-item owner-bird-relationship scale (OBRS). This scale was applied to measure the relationship between pet bird owners (or keepers) (n = 1,444) and their birds in an online survey performed in Germany. Factor analysis revealed that the relationship between owner and bird consisted of four dimensions: the tendency of the owner to anthropomorphize the bird; the social support the bird provides for the owner; the empathy, attentiveness, and respect of the owner toward the bird; and the relationship of the bird toward the owner. More than one quarter of the German bird owners of this sample showed an impersonal, half a personal, and less than a quarter a close personal relationship to their bird. The relationship varied with the socio-demographic characteristics of the owners, such as gender, marital status, and education. This scale supports more comprehensive quantitative research into the human-bird relationship in the broad field of human-animal studies including the psychology and sociology of animals as well as animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

Introduction to special section on human-animal studies: Humanistic psychology contributions of Team Woof.

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-576
Author(s):  
Harris L. Friedman ◽  
Tina Bloom ◽  
Melissa Trevathan-Minnis
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Special Section ◽  
Humanistic Psychology ◽  
Human Animal

scholarly journals Acupuncture for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Potential Mechanism from an Anti-Inflammatory Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Wen-Yan Yu ◽  
Liang-Xiao Ma ◽  
Zhou Zhang ◽  
Jie-Dan Mu ◽  
Tian-Yi Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Visceral Pain ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Primary Dysmenorrhea ◽  
Potential Mechanism ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Proinflammatory Factors

The low adverse effects of acupuncture for primary dysmenorrhea (PD), known as one of the most commonly reported gynecological debilitating conditions affecting women’s overall health, have been thus far confirmed. Moreover, it has been increasingly recognized that inflammation is involved in such menstrual cramps, and recent studies have further shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture are helpful in its control. This review portrays the role of inflammation in PD pathophysiology, provides evidence from clinical and animal studies on acupuncture for inflammation-induced visceral pain, and reflects on acupuncture-related therapies for dysmenorrhea with regard to their anti-inflammatory characteristics. Further research accordingly needs to be carried out to clarify the effects of acupuncture on proinflammatory factors in PD, particularly chemokines and leukocytes. Future studies on this condition from an anti-inflammatory perspective should be also performed in line with the notion of emphasizing stimulation modes to optimize the clinical modalities of acupuncture. Additionally, the effects and mechanism of more convenient self-healing approaches such as TENS/TEAS for PD should be investigated.

scholarly journals Military History and Strategic Studies as Imperatives for National Security Development in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-200
Author(s):  
Chiemela Godwin Wambu ◽  
Amaechi Ehimatie
Keyword(s):  
National Security ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
International System ◽  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Military History ◽  
Security Policies ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Military Institution ◽  
The Military ◽  
Strategic Studies

Nigerian military history is an aspect of Nigerian history that reconstructs the philosophies, beliefs, life and times of military personnel in relation to time and place. On the other hand, strategic studies involve a study of the security policies and political conduct of states in their interaction within the international system. Since it is the military institution that implements these security policies, itself central to the objectives of states in international politics, it is logical  to view military history and strategic studies as pivotal to the securitydevelopment of the Nigerian nation as it is for every other nation. Given this understanding, this study attempts to situate Nigerian military history and strategic studies as imperatives for national security development in Nigeria. To achieve its goal, the paper employs mostly secondary and but a few primary sources subjected to content historical analysis from which it was deduced that military history and strategic studies are important for the advancement of security development in Nigeria. Keywords: Military, Strategic Studies, History, Security

scholarly journals Restoration of the military self-administration in the Terek cossak army in spring of 1917

Kavkaz-forum ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
Ф.С. Киреев
Keyword(s):  
Historical Analysis ◽  
Historical Event ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Political Situation ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Intellectual Potential ◽  
The Military ◽  
First Time

В статье анализируются причины возвращения войсковой системы самоуправления Терского казачества и показан сам процесс создания выборности войсковой власти. Актуальность исследования казачьего самоуправления обусловлена необходимостью теоретического обоснования и практического осуществления самоорганизации казачества России. Исторический анализ процесса организации самоуправления Терского казачества на войсковом уровне может послужить фундаментом для лучшего понимания и оценки современных процессов и явлений в казачьей среде и поможет выстраиванию государственной политики в отношении казачества в современной России. В отечественной историографии отсутствуют работы, посвященные конкретно восстановлению выборности власти в Терском казачьем войске. Поэтому научная новизна исследования определяется тем, что впервые предпринята попытка хронологической реконструкции истории создания войсковой системы самоуправления Терского казачества. Методологической основой исследования является принцип историзма, что предусматривает изучение момента возникновения исторического события и этапы его развития. Анализ событий на Тереке в 1917 г. показывает, что терские казаки смогли самоорганизоваться, создать полноценное административно-территориальное образование, и лишь изменение социально-политической ситуации в России в целомпомешало укрепить и продолжить это начинание. Еще необходимо отметить, что терские казаки к моменту восстановления войскового самоуправления подошли уже с готовыми проектами соответствующих документов, что позволило Терскому войску первым среди других войск создать свою выборную власть. Это говорит о высоком интеллектуальном потенциале в среде терских казаков. The article analyzes the reasons for the restoration of the military system of self-government of the Terek Cossacks and shows the very process of creating the elective military power. The relevance of the study of Cossack self-government is due to the need for theoretical justification and practical implementation of the self-organization of the Cossacks of Russia. Historical analysis of the process of organizing self-government of the Terek Cossacks at the military level can serve as a foundation for better understanding and assessment of modern processes and phenomena in the Cossack environment and will help to build state policy towards the Cossacks in modern Russia. In the Russian historiography, there are no works devoted specifically to the restoration of the election of power in the Terek Cossack army. Therefore, the scientific novelty of the research is determined by the fact that for the first time an attempt was made to chronologically reconstruct the history of the creation of the military system of self-government of the Terek Cossacks. The methodological basis of the research is the principle of historicism, with its focus on the study of the moment of occurrence of a historical event and the stages of its development. An analysis of the events on the Terek in 1917 shows that the Terek Cossacks were able to organize themselves and create a full-fledged administrative-territorial entity and only a change in the socio-political situation in Russia as a whole was placed, strengthened and continued this initiative. It should also be noted that the Terek Cossacks, by the time of the restoration of military self-government, came up with ready-made drafts of relevant documents, which allowed the Terek army to be the first among other troops to create their own elected power. This indicates a high intellectual potential among the Terek cossacks.

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