Early Christians and Animals

The marvelous and mythical nature of beasts, birds and insects presented the Christian world with inspirations for art, manuscript illustrations, bestiaries and the decoration of churches and cloisters.

Early Christians and Animals presents a colorful and comprehensive overview and analysis of the significance of animals in early Christian thought, tradition, text and art. The author examines the diversified and often conflicting sources, from the pagan antecedents Aristotle and Pliny, to Biblical animal references and the Patristic fathers. He also provides fresh translations of key texts concerning animals - the Physiologus, Basil's Homilies and the relevant chapters of Isidore of Seville's Etymologies - to make accessible Christian thought on animals.