Greek Perceptions and Receptions of Non-Indigenous Birds: Some Case Studies Regarding the Phasianidae

Abstract

Investigating interactions between animals and humans has become increasingly prominent in the study of the ancient Greek world. How did the Greeks react to non-indigenous species of birds and adapt these into their local environments? As a contribution to this subject, this paper focusses on a series of related avian case studies: domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus), peacocks ( Pavo cristatus), and pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus). Using key pieces of textual and visual evidence, we not only investigate how these birds—all of which are part of the family Phasianidae—became acclimated to Greece but also draw significant conclusions about their reception in Greek society. We argue that these three species remained grouped together in Greek imagination and that their distinctiveness and foreignness were essential characteristics of their cultural reception despite varying degrees of integration (e.g., successful breeding) and utility.