Thanks for the link to that
thread v-drome! I posted the Antestius coin in the
Republican forum section recently, but just started my
gallery, so it may be a while before I get all my coins in there. I will perhaps post my very, very few
Republican coins next because that won't take long. I agree with what the dogs looked like back then, most were quite sleek. It could also be that only certain breeds were used on coins, as many were working dogs (such as the dogs on coins with a speared
boar that were used for hunting). The Antestius
dog seems smaller and different than the many greyhound/sleek
types. One theory of dog-human evolution is that there were small dogs in the mix as they were possibly used as bed warmers in
winter. The medium and larger dogs were used for hunting, herding, war, etc. Dogs were used in ancient medical sections to lick wounds and this has scientific basis. Finally, one cool story about the death of
Lysimachus, who was killed during the
Battle of Corupedium and
his body was discovered some time later
intact after being guarded vigilantly by
his faithful
dog from carrion
birds and other
animals.
Thanks,
Virgil
