Tethering of Tamed and Domesticated Carnivores in Mosaics from the Roman and Byzantine Periods in the Southern Levant

Tamed and domesticated carnivores such as dogs, cheetahs and mongooses participated as search and chase aids to human hunting in different societies, during most of history, as attested by anthropological, literary or graphic sources. In order to impose human will on the animals, different tethering devices were developed, such as leashes, collars and harnesses. These devices significantly differ from others related to labour e.g. for hauling, riding or carry palanquins. During the Roman and Byzantine periods in the southern Levant, these animals and their restraining gear were depicted in hunting scenes on mosaic floors of churches, synagogues and private dwellings. These mosaics are discussed as evidence of everyday life. Therefore, this research analyzes the mechanism involved in translation of reality to images, the choice of hunting animals and their respective equipment as motifs represented on the mosaics, the differences between prestige and utilitarian hunts and the motivation behind the animal owner’s choices and preferences.