The Judgment of Animals in Classical Greece: Animal Sculpture and ...

Aristotle indicates that Molossian dogs were employed in both hunting and shepherding,
but excelled in the latter because their size and courage made them a threat to predators
of herds. His statement implies that Molossian dogs were exceptionally large and bold.
It is of great interest that, in another passage, he speaks of Epeirus, the greater area to
which Molossia belonged, and from where these dogs were though to originate, (hence
their name), as being rich in large animals, especially cattle and dogs. The issue of
geography influencing animal size looms large in his mind, as he states that:
In Phasis there is a breed of small cattle every one of which yields a copious
supply of milk. In Epeirus there are large cows which yield an amphora and half
of this from the two teats. The milker has to stand upright, bending slightly
forward, because he would not be able to reach far enough if seated. In addition
to the cattle, all the quadrupeds (except the ass) in Epeirus are large in size, and in
proportion the cattle and the dogs are the largest. (HA 522b) [60]
Aristotle’s contrast between the small cattle of Phasis and the large one of Epeirus clearly
suggests that, in his mind, geography was a determining cause of animal size. 259 Of
importance also is his mention of dogs being among the largest animals in Epeirus, for it
explains well his previous note on Molossian dogs being singled out for their size. His
accounts, therefore, offer a useful insight into the conception of the exceptional size of
Molossian dogs as being tied to their physical seat of origin.
259 The responsibility of Molossia in shaping the exceptional qualities of its dogs is also attested in later
authors, such as Aelian (A.D. II-III), who sees a strong affinity between the natural disposition of
Molossian dogs and Molossian men. As he says: “among hounds the Molossian is the most high-spirited,
for the men of Molossia are hot-tempered” (NA 3.2) [1]. The basis of such a link is further explained by
Pollux, whose Onomasticon (A.D. II) states a mythological bond between these dogs and the Molossians,
the principle tribe of rulers in Epeirus: “the Chaonians and the Molossians are descendants of a dog which
Hephaestus forged from Demonesian bronze, put a soul into, and gave to Zeus” (Onom. 5.39) [164]. That
the link between Molossian hounds and Zeus held alive as far back as the early fourth century B.C. is
evident from the iconography of the silver coinage of Epeirus that dates from this period, and depicts on the
obverse, the local breed of hound and on the reverse, the thunderbolt of Zeus of Dodona: C. M. Kraay,
Archaic and Classical Greek Coins (Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1976) 129, pl. 24, fig. 444.
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