Greek and neighbouring animal cults
animal · 2 works · 2 mentions · 3 anchored passages
ants · asses (Scythian) · dogs (Carian) · doves · flies · mice (sminthoi) · sheep (Samian) · storks · the storks · weasels
in the texts
Protrepticus
Various animals honoured in cult by different Greek and neighbouring peoples, catalogued to compare with Egyptian animal worship.
" Many blessings be upon the Carians, who sacrifice dogs to him.
And Polemon records that the inhabitants about the Troad reverence the native mice, which they call sminthoi, because they gnawed through the bowstrings of the enemy's bows;
Orations
Migratory birds cited as an example of natural, sensible seasonal adaptation, in contrast with men's unnatural habits.
For the storks, leaving the hot regions in summer, come to the temperate air, and after passing here the pleasantest part of the time, thereafter depart all together, withdrawing from the winter;