Animals in Greek and Roman Thought: A Sourcebook

Although reasoned discourse on human-animal relations is often
considered a late twentieth-century phenomenon, ethical debate over
animals and how humans should treat them can be traced back to the
philosophers and literati of the classical world. From Stoic assertions
that humans owe nothing to animals that are intellectually foreign to
them, to Plutarch's impassioned arguments for animals as sentient and
rational beings, it is clear that modern debate owes much to Greco-Roman
thought. Animals in Greek and Roman Thought brings together new
translations of classical passages which contributed to ancient debate
on the nature of animals and their relationship to human beings. The
selections chosen come primarily from philosophical and natural
historical works, as well as religious, poetic and biographical works.
The questions discussed include: Do animals differ from humans
intellectually? Were animals created for the use of humankind? Should
animals be used for food, sport, or sacrifice? Can animals be our
friends? The selections are arranged thematically and, within themes,
chronologically. A commentary precedes each excerpt, transliterations of
Greek and Latin technical terms are provided, and each entry includes
bibliographic suggestions for further reading.