Of all the countless civilizations that have risen and fallen throughout history, the Roman Empire is probably the most fascinating one we know about. In a relatively short period, they conquered thousands of tribes and peoples from all areas of the world and united them under one single empire.
However, it was not only people that the Romans conquered. As they travelled through the deserts of Asia and the jungles of Africa, they also encountered ancient and strange animals, many of which no longer exist today.
In this article, we will take a look at eight of some now-extinct animals that the ancient Romans saw.
1. The Aurochs – (The Wild Ancestor of Cattle)
The aurochs were a massive and intimidating wild ancestor of modern domestic cattle. Weighing over 1.5 tons, it had large horns and a muscular build supported by a powerful neck.
Despite being herbivores, aurochs were known for their aggression and strength, often fighting each other and even attacking humans.
This powerful beast was a common sight in ancient Rome. Both the Greeks and Romans found these animals fascinating and dangerous, making them popular targets for hunting. Auroch’s horns were prized possessions, often used as drinking vessels or offerings to gods.
The Romans also featured them in gladiatorial games, where their size and power thrilled audiences. Unfortunately, the combination of habitat loss and overhunting led to the extinction of the aurochs, with the last one dying in 1627.
2. European Lions – (Panthera leo europaea)
Lions once roamed parts of Europe, particularly southeastern regions like ancient Greece. These lions were slightly different from modern African lions, with less-developed manes and a more robust build.
Greek art and stories often depicted dramatic lion hunts, and even Alexander the Great participated in these events.
Lions were also used in the ancient Olympics, where humans occasionally fought them. While some accounts, like a man killing a lion with his bare hands, highlight human bravery, other stories show how dangerous these predators were. Even armies weren’t safe—Persian soldiers reported lion attacks during their invasions.
The Romans later imported lions for gladiatorial games, where they were pitted against humans and other animals. Despite their strength, thousands were killed in these brutal spectacles, contributing to their eventual disappearance from Europe.
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3. Caspian Tigers – (Panthera tigris virgata)
Caspian tigers were massive and strikingly beautiful cats that roamed parts of Asia and the Middle East. Closely related to Siberian tigers, they grew to impressive sizes, with some reaching lengths of nearly 12 feet.
The Greeks and Romans were both fascinated and terrified by these predators. Early Greek explorers mistook them for mythical creatures like the manticore, a man-eating beast. Later accounts described their incredible speed and ferocity, especially when protecting their cubs.
Despite their awe-inspiring reputation, Caspian tigers were hunted and captured for games and entertainment in Rome.
They often fought other animals, including lions, in deadly battles. While they survived the Roman era, modern hunting and habitat destruction eventually drove them to extinction by the 20th century.
4. Dwarf Elephants – (Palaeoloxodon Tiliensis)
One of the more surprising animals encountered by ancient Greeks might have been the dwarf elephant. Found on the island of Tilos, these tiny elephants were descendants of massive mainland species but had shrunk over generations due to island living.
Standing just about 3 feet tall, these elephants were likely hunted by early Greek settlers, which may have contributed to their extinction around 1840 BC.
While no direct evidence of interaction exists, some speculate they may have influenced myths about strange and fantastical creatures.
5. North African Elephants – (Loxodonta africana pharaohensis)
The North African elephant was smaller than modern African elephants but still large enough to inspire awe and terrify the Ancient Romans when they saw them. These elephants played a major role in warfare, particularly with the Greeks and Romans.
Alexander the Great first encountered elephants during his conquests in India and quickly adopted them into his armies.
The Romans later faced North African elephants during battles with Carthage, most famously when Hannibal crossed the Alps with his war elephants. Though intimidating, the elephants’ tendency to panic under pressure often turned battles against their handlers.
Over time, these elephants were also used in gladiatorial games and were heavily hunted for their ivory, leading to their extinction by the 4th century AD.
6. Arabian Ostriches – (Struthio camelus syriacus)
The Arabian ostrich was one of the most graceful and fascinating Extinct animals that the Ancient Romans saw. Although slightly smaller than today’s common ostrich, they roamed and dominated the deserts of the Middle East.
Standing around 7 feet tall, it fascinated ancient civilizations with its speed and unusual appearance.
Romans imported Arabian ostriches for games, where they were hunted or showcased in elaborate events.
Their eggs and feathers were prized gifts, but their meat was also highly sought after. Sadly, habitat destruction and overhunting led to their extinction by the mid-20th century.
7. The African Bear (Ursus arctos crowtheri)
The “Atlas” refers to the mountain range that stretches across northwest Africa. These bears were native to North Africa, particularly in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. They were smaller relatives of the brown bear.
The sheer size of these bears, strength, and adaptability made them apex predators and unpredictable in combat. The ancient Romans imported these bears for combat in the Colosseum. There, they were pitted against gladiators and other exotic animals.
These atlas bears were driven to extinction by the late nineteenth century (around the 1870s) by the Romans due to their use in arena games, loss of their habitat, and competition with human activities.
However, they were one of the Roman Empire’s most prized spectacles for centuries. These bears were omnivores. They lived in forests and mountainous regions. Like other bears, they mated during summer, with delayed implantation; this led to their cubs being born during hibernation.
8. The European Jaguars (Panthera gombaszoegensis)
These big cats once roamed Europe, including the areas that became part of the Roman Empire and Asia. They had exceptional power and were incredibly stealthy! So they could easily ambush and overpower large prey, even those larger than they were; their fossils also suggest this.
They were carnivores, feeding on deer and wild boar, living in forests and woodland areas near water sources. They were solitary except during mating season, when they would meet briefly for reproduction, leaving the females to raise cubs alone.
These jaguars likely went extinct before the rise of Rome, about twenty-four thousand years ago, due to climate change during the Ice Age (which led to habitat loss) and competition with other predators. However, their legend has persisted in local folklore.
Final Thoughts
Ancient Romans lived in a time when wild, large, mysterious animals roamed the Earth. Their encounters with these animals, or their fossils/remains, impacted their culture, art, literature, and history, leaving a legacy of awe and reverence for nature.
Their stories remind us of the delicate balance between humans and nature and the importance of protecting the wildlife that still exists today.
Who knows—perhaps future generations will look back at today’s animals with the same sense of wonder we feel when we think about the creatures of ancient Rome.