Tierbilder aus dem ersten Jahrhundert

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The Artemidorus papyrus, originating from Alexandria at the beginning of the 1st century A. D., contains on its verso 41 drawings by one hand, thereof 38 sketches of animals (some comprising two species each, thus resulting in 44 species), most of them labelled withtheir Greek names. As visible from the ‘title’ on the papyrus itself, it presents terrestrial tetrapods as well asbirds, fish, and whales. No orderingprinciple can be identified, except the preference ofespecially rare and impressivecreatures. Theybelong to different animal taxa, i.e. crustaceans (1), fish (5), reptiles (6), birds (11), and mammals (17). The work as a wholestands inthe tradition of Hellenistic animal pictures, beginning with Aristotle, developed furtherby the forerunners of the Nile Mosaic of Praeneste (Palestrina), and continued in Hellenistic and Roman artwork (wall paintings, mosaics) as well asin ‘scientific’ Byzantine codices. Most probably, this part of the papyrus was used as a collection of specimen.