Animals play significant roles in people’s daily experiences, storytelling, artwork, and in mythology. Delving into Ancient Greece's view of animals, it is apparent that the rural life of the citizens allowed for frequent contact with animals and resulted in specific relationships.
Different types of livestock were used for sacrifices. These animals included calves, sheep, goats, and pigs. Entertainment for civilization also revolved around animals like lions, tigers, bears, and other wild creatures because of their aggressive, harsh natures. Hunting them and pitting the animals against each other in arenas were quite common. Horses and elephants were seen on the battlefield and in military life.
"However, it’s plain to see in ancient art and literature that the closest bond was felt in the home, between masters or mistresses and their beloved domestic pets"John Leonard says.
The range of animals that were held as pets was extremely large; dogs, ducks, geese, caged birds, rabbits, hares, tortoises, goats, quail, and mice were all commonly seen in the households. Snakes had underworld connections with mythology as well as spiritual significance, but were also used to limit rodents. Insects were treated like songbirds when they chirped; some children even kept locusts as pets. Gods and goddesses were also attributed to different animals. Apollo and Artemis had the quail as a symbol. Canines were often kept to keep predators away, and geese served a similar purpose as protectors.
"Other unusual pets included apes and monkeys (often taught to perform tricks), fawns and adult deer, gazelle, foxes and small mountain cats" John Leonard says.
Link to the article: https://www.greece-is.com/divine-symbols-and-adored-pets-the-animals-of-ancient-greece/