Animals and the cultures that worshipped them

[Polar]

(01-05-2016, 03:02 AM)brotherbear Wrote:

(01-04-2016, 10:51 PM)Polar Wrote:

(01-04-2016, 07:50 PM)brotherbear Wrote: it is easy to see why the Roman Emperor Constantine hand-picked the lion as the new "King of Beasts." The mane which he wears like a crown. The thunderous roar. The fact that he surrounds himself with a harem of females which do nearly all of the hunting for him. And perhaps for the battles he must fight to hold his place "upon the throne." 

I mean the tiger could've been chosen instead of the lion due to its more deeper roar (not louder), its territorial instinct and killer aggression to get things done, and the fact that the resident tiger can prowl its territory in peace and not be disturbed by the various females around itself. Also, it can hunt large prey for its females to eat from it whenever they feel like it, and the tiger also has an awesome coat.

No, the people of Europe during that time had no clue about tigers. The bears of Europe were larger and fiercer than those who survived the war against them. The superstitious people believed that bears had the habit of stealing women and raping them ( as was believed about the gorilla during the 1800s and early 20th century ). Constantine thus waged a war against bears which lasted for nearly 1,000 years; also because some populations worshiped the bear. Yes; a strange history.  

How didn't they have any clue? There are some literature in early times (500-600s) in Bavaria (during Roman occupation) relating to Tigers and their shipment from West Asia to the Roman provinces, but you're right in that they didn't worship tigers or hold them dear. Lions are much more conjoined with Europe when referencing distance between Africa and Rome, and as a result, gave an earlier impression of a big cat's majestic appearance and they decided to use the Lion. And yes, even European Brown Bears used to be larger back then as well (according to Ursus on the older CarnivoraForums), but by only 100 pounds, and still slightly less than a modern American Yellowstone brownie. Reply