1. ANIMALS IN ANCIENT ROME
APE – ITIS PININFARINA

2. Ask anyone what they know about ancient Roman animals and their thoughts will tend to go to lions, Christians and the ancient Roman Coliseum. But evidence from various sources suggests there is more to the Romans and their animals than that. Ancient Roman architecture and art, mosaics, tombstones, and poets and authors of the time all show us different faces - and some interesting double standards - of an ancient Empire and the treatment of its animals.
The treatment of animals generally in the Empire was a direct reflection of ancient Roman culture and traditions.   The Romans were especially fascinated with wild animals.  They liked looking at them, marvelling at their strangeness, watching them perform
tricks - and watching them being hunted and killed.  Wolves, bears, wild boars, deer and goats were native to Rome and other animals were introduced following conquests abroad. Elephants, leopards, lions, ostriches and parrots were imported in the 1st Century B.C. followed by the hippopotamus, rhinoceros, camels and giraffes.

3. There were no zoos in ancient Rome but looking at the Roman Coliseum we know that it was used as something like a cross between a zoo and a circus.  All these species were used for shows in the arena; some were also kept by the wealthy for their own entertainment.  We know from writings, for example, that monkeys would be dressed as soldiers and ride in small chariots pulled by goats

4. Elephants
But above all other ancient Roman animals it was the elephant which became a symbol of Roman power and the success of its Emperors.  In 46 B.C., after the defeat of rival Pompey in Greece and successful wars in Asia Minor and Egypt, Caesar held an elaborate triumphant parade in which forty trained elephants marched alongside him up the steps of the Capitol, lighted torches burning in their trunks. 
By far the most popular of the ancient Roman animals used for show, outside the arena the elephant was a prized status symbol used to transport wealthy men and women to dinner.  It did of course also have its more serious uses - in the building trade, for example, where it was able to carry, lift and pull huge weights, and as a kind of secret weapon of the ancient Roman military for, as much as anything, frightening enemies who had never seen such large and strange-looking creatures before.
Elephant mosaic, Ostia Antica.

5. Horses
Just as the more exotic ancient Roman animals were an important part of entertainment in the Empire, horses were as crucial a part of daily life as they are today: they were used extensively by the ancient Roman military, were a part of farming communities as beasts of burden, and were used as animals of entertainment in chariot racing.  Respected in all these roles horses were not generally kept as pets or for leisure riding in ancient Rome - with the exception of Incitatus, the horse of the Emperor Caligula
Roman chariot

6. The historian Svetonio tells us that Incitatus had his own stable of marble with a manger made of ivory and was attended by eighteen servants who fed him a diet of oats mixed with gold flakes.  The most spoiled of ancient Roman animals, this horse was often to be found dressed in a headcollar of precious stones, wearing a blanket of royal purple and holding his own social gatherings complete with servants.  Caligula even promised to appoint Incitatus as consul - a promise he would certainly have carried out had he lived longer.
“Incitato equo, cuius causa pridie circenses, ne inquietaretur, viciniae silentium per milites indicere solebat, praeter equile marmoreum et praesaepe eburneum praeterque purpurea tegumenta ac monilia e gemmis domum etiam et familiam et supellectilem dedit, quo lautius nomine eius invitati acciperentur; consulatum quoque traditur destinasse.”
(Svetonio “De Vita Caesarum , Caligula” 55: He used to send his soldiers on the day before the games and order silence in the neighbourhood, to prevent the horse Incitatus from being disturbed. Besides a stall of marble, a manger of ivory, purple blankets and a collar of precious stones, he even gave this horse a house, a troop of slaves and furniture, for the more elegant entertainment of the guests invited in his name; and it is also said that he planned to make him consul.)

7. Circus Maximo in Rome
floor plan – Circus Maximo Rome

8. Cats , Fish and Birds
Strangely, although the Egyptians had revered cats as god-like creatures and cats in Italy today are a favourite pet, there is no evidence amongst writings about ancient Roman animals that cats were a particularly prized animal.  If kept at all it is likely their value was in helping prevent the spread of rodents.
Fish and birds, on the other hand, were kept for ornamental purposes much as they are today.  Exotic species like peacocks, parakeets and parrots were imported from all over the Empire, often housed in cages made from precious metals and regularly adorned ancient Roman jewellery.
Unfortunately, in a contradiction often seen in the treatment of ancient Roman animals, many pets were also considered a delicacy and a pet fish or parrot might eventually end up on the table.  Parrots' tongues were a particular delicacy.
Fibula with birds. Photo courtesy of the vRoma project.

9. 4AT – Itis Pininfarina Bibliography: courtesy of//
Pictures: free – courtesy of
//it.wikipedia.org/wiki/ //
4AT – Itis Pininfarina