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Rochester Bestiary
The Rochester BestiaryLondon, British Library, Royal MS 12 F.xiii is a richly illuminated manuscript copy of a medieval bestiary, a book describing the appearance and habits of a large number of familiar and exotic animals, both real and legendary. The animals' characteristics are frequently allegorised, with the addition of a Christian moral. The bestiary tradition The medieval bestiary ultimately derives from the Greek-language ''Physiologus'', a text whose precise date and place of origin is disputed, but which was most likely written in North Africa sometime in the second or third century.McCulloch 1960, p. 18 The ''Physiologus'' was translated into Latin several times, at least as far back as the eighth century, the date of the first extant manuscripts, and likely much earlier, perhaps the fourth century.McCulloch 1960, pp. 21–22 While the earliest Latin translations were extremely faithful to their Greek source, later versions adapted more freely, particularly by the inc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elephants - British Library Royal 12 F Xiii F11v (detail)
Elephants are the largest existing land animals. Three living species are currently recognised: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant, and the Asian elephant. They are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae and the order Proboscidea. The order was formerly much more diverse during the Pleistocene, but most species became extinct during the Late Pleistocene epoch. Distinctive features of elephants include a long proboscis called a trunk, tusks, large ear flaps, pillar-like legs, and tough but sensitive skin. The trunk is used for breathing, bringing food and water to the mouth, and grasping objects. Tusks, which are derived from the incisor teeth, serve both as weapons and as tools for moving objects and digging. The large ear flaps assist in maintaining a constant body temperature as well as in communication. African elephants have larger ears and concave backs, whereas Asian elephants have smaller ears, and convex or level backs. Elephants ar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manticore - British Library Royal 12 F Xiii F24v (detail)
The manticore or mantichore (Latin: ''mantichōra''; reconstructed Old Persian: ; Modern fa, مردخوار ) is a Persian legendary creature similar to the Egyptian sphinx that proliferated in western European medieval art as well. It has the head of a human, the body of a lion and a tail of venomous spines similar to porcupine quills, while other depictions have it with the tail of a scorpion. There are some accounts that the spines can be shot like arrows, thus making the manticore a lethal predator. Name The term "manticore" descends via Latin ''mantichora'' from Ancient Greek （martikhórās)Cf. This in turn is a transliteration of an Old Persian compound word consisting of ''martīya'' 'man' and ''xuar-'' stem, 'to eat' (Mod. fa, ; ''mard'' + ; ''khurden''). The ultimate source of manticore was Ctesias, Greek physician of the Persian court during the Achaemenid dynasty, and is based on the testamants of his Persian-speaking informants who had travelled to India. Ctesi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family, Rallidae. They constitute the genus ''Fulica'', the name being the Latin term for "coot". Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water. They are close relatives of the moorhen. However, the Coot typically appears 'dumpier' and lacks the distinctive red frontal face of the moorhen. Taxonomy and systematics The genus ''Fulica'' was introduced in 1758 by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his ''Systema Naturae''. The genus name is the Latin word for a Eurasian coot. The name was used by the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner in 1555. The type species is the Eurasian coot. A group of coots are referred to as a ''covert'' or ''cover''. Species The genus contains 10 extant species and one which is now extinct. Extinct species Recently extinct species * ''Fulica newtonii'' Milne-Edwards, 1867 – Masca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Caladrius
The caladrius, according to Roman mythology, is a snow-white bird that lives in the king's house. It is said to be able to take the sickness into itself and then fly away, dispersing the sickness and healing both itself and the sick person. The caladrius legend formed part of medieval bestiary materials, which typically provided a Christian moralization for the animals they discussed. Origin It has been theorized that the caladrius is based on a real bird. Due to descriptions of it being completely white with no black on it, it is possible that it was based on the dove, or possibly some sort of water bird such as the heron. The art historian Louis Réau believed it was most likely a white plover. In medieval bestiaries Medieval interpretations focused on the diagnostic potential of the bird: if it looks into the face of a sick person, the person will live; if it looks away, the person will die. This is compatible with the idea that the caladrius' look draws the sickness into its ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yale (mythical Creature)
The Yale or Centicore (Latin: ''Eale'') is a mythical beast found in European mythology and heraldry. Description The Yale is described as an antelope- or goat-like creature with the tusks of a boar and large horns. These horns possess the ability to swivel in any direction which makes them good for both offensive and defensive attacks. The name Yale is believed to be derived from the Hebrew word יָעֵל (Y''ael''), meaning "ibex". Other common names this creature parades under is "Eales" or "Centicores". The Yale was first written about by Pliny the Elder in Book VIII of his '' Natural History''. He describes the ''Eale'' as a creature found in Aethiopia: "it is the size of the river-horse, has the tail of the elephant, and is of a black or tawny colour. It has also the jaws of the wild boar, and horns that are moveable, and more than a cubit in length, so that, in fighting, it can employ them alternately, and vary their position by presenting them directly or obliquely, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Parandrus
A tarand, also known as a tarandos, tarandus, parandrus, or parandros, is a legendary reindeer/ moose-like creature with chameleon properties. It was first described in Aristotle's Corpus Aristotelicum as Tarandos (Τάρανδος). It was also mentioned in Pliny's History of the Animals (''Tarandus''), Aelian's De Natura Animalium (''Tarandos''), Solinus (''Parandrus'') and Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman people, Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caes ..., appearing again in key texts of the medieval period, such as ''The York Mystery Cycle'' (1440) and Francois Rabelais' '' Pantagruel'' (1552). The veracity of the tarand was discussed by Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric, Baron Cuvier (1769–1832). Aristotle, Pliny and Aelian write that the animal (Tarandus) was living in Scythia, while Solinus wr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manticore
The manticore or mantichore (Latin: ''mantichōra''; reconstructed Old Persian: ; Modern fa, مردخوار ) is a Persian legendary creature similar to the Egyptian sphinx that proliferated in western European medieval art as well. It has the head of a human, the body of a lion and a tail of venomous spines similar to porcupine quills, while other depictions have it with the tail of a scorpion. There are some accounts that the spines can be shot like arrows, thus making the manticore a lethal predator. Name The term "manticore" descends via Latin ''mantichora'' from Ancient Greek （martikhórās)Cf. This in turn is a transliteration of an Old Persian compound word consisting of ''martīya'' 'man' and ''xuar-'' stem, 'to eat' (Mod. fa, ; ''mard'' + ; ''khurden''). The ultimate source of manticore was Ctesias, Greek physician of the Persian court during the Achaemenid dynasty, and is based on the testamants of his Persian-speaking informants who had travelled to India. Ctesi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Crocotta
The crocotta or corocotta, crocuta, or leucrocotta is a mythical dog-wolf of India or Aethiopia, linked to the hyena and said to be a deadly enemy of men and dogs. Ancient accounts Strabo, who uses the word crocuttas, describes the beast as the mixed progeny of a wolf and a dog (''Geographica'', XVI.4.16]). Pliny the Elder, Pliny in his work '' Natural History'' (VIII.72 and 107) variously described the crocotta as a combination between dog and wolf or between hyena and lion.Pliny the Elder '' Natural History''VIII.72 + 107 When crossed with this race of animals the Ethiopian lioness gives birth to the corocotta, that mimics the voices of men and cattle in a similar way. It has an unbroken ridge of bone in each jaw, forming a continuous tooth without any gum. Pliny (VIII.72-73) also writes of another hyena-like creature, the leucrocotta, which he calls "the swiftest of all beasts, about the size of an ass, with a stag's haunches, a lion's neck, tail and breast, badger ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Monocerus
The monoceros ( el, μονόκερως) is a legendary animal with only one horn related to the unicorn. Mythology It derives from the Greek word μονόκερως (''monokerōs''), a compound word from μόνος (''monos'') which means "only one" / "single" and κέρας (''keras'') (neuter gender), which means "horn". The monoceros was first described in Pliny the Elder's '' Natural History'' as a creature with the body of a horse, the head of a stag (minus the antlers), the feet of an elephant, and the tail of a wild boar. It has one black horn in the middle of its forehead, which is two cubits (about ) in length, and is impossible to capture alive. Cosmas Indicopleustes, in the ''Christian Topography'', writes that he did not see the animal, but he did see brazen figures of it at the palace of the King of Aethiopia and from these figures he was able to draw it. He also mentions that the people speak of it as a terrible beast and invincible, and that all its strength lie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Satyr
In Greek mythology, a satyr ( grc-gre, σάτυρος, sátyros, ), also known as a silenus or ''silenos'' ( grc-gre, σειληνός ), is a male nature spirit with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse, as well as a permanent, exaggerated erection. Early artistic representations sometimes include horse-like legs, but, by the sixth century BC, they were more often represented with human legs. Comically hideous, they have mane-like hair, bestial faces, and snub noses and are always shown naked. Satyrs were characterized by their ribaldry and were known as lovers of wine, music, dancing, and women. They were companions of the god Dionysus and were believed to inhabit remote locales, such as woodlands, mountains, and pastures. They often attempted to seduce or rape nymphs and mortal women alike, usually with little success. They are sometimes shown masturbating or engaging in bestiality. In classical Athens, satyrs made up the chorus in a genre of play known as a " ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Ancient Greek: , ''gryps''; Classical Latin: ''grȳps'' or ''grȳpus''; Late Latin, Late and Medieval Latin: ''gryphes'', ''grypho'' etc.; Old French: ''griffon'') is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and Hindlimb, back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and sometimes an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts, and the eagle the king of the birds, by the Middle Ages, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Since classical antiquity, griffins were known for guarding treasures and priceless possessions. In Greek and Roman texts, griffins and Arimaspians were associated with gold deposits of Central Asia. Indeed, as Pliny the Elder wrote, "griffins were said to lay eggs in burrows on the ground and these nests contained gold nuggets." In medieval heraldry, the griffin became a Christian symbol of Divinity, divine power and a g ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Unicorn
The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since Classical antiquity, antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn (anatomy), horn projecting from its forehead. In European literature and art, the unicorn has for the last thousand years or so been depicted as a white horse-like or goat-like animal with a long straight horn with spiralling grooves, cloven hooves, and sometimes a goat's beard. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was commonly described as an extremely wild forest, woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could be captured only by a virgin. In encyclopedias, its horn was described as having the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. In medieval and Renaissance times, the tusk of the narwhal was sometimes sold as a unicorn horn. A bovine type of unicorn is thought by some scholars to have been depicted in Indus seal, seals of the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilisation, Indus Valley civiliza ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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