Animalia is a research and study group dedicated to the various aspects of the relationship between humans and animals in Antiquity. Ethical and political discussions about food, health, environment and relations between human and non-human animals have increasingly gained attention in the Humanities since the 1970s, and have now taken center stage in the last two decades due to global climate and environmental challenges. From this context arises a field of research focused specifically on themes related to animals: Human-Animal Studies. As for animals in Antiquity, many topics that we would call now Human-Animal Studies have been approached indirectly in other subjects, such as studies on vegetarianism and sacrifice. In the past few years, the gradual development and diversification of the themes, discussions, and approaches of Human-Animal Studies have begun to be consolidated as a pertinent and vibrant field of research in Classical Studies.

Animalia’s main objectives are:

1. To write a history of animals by taking into account its various aspects, as well as problematizing and contextualizing historically to what extent it is possible to argue the existence of a history of animals in Antiquity.
2. To write such a history based on a multidisciplinary dialogue between different disciplines: history, literature, philosophy, and archaeology.
3. To contribute for the development and consolidation of the Human-Animal Studies in Classical Studies.
4. To initiate and foster the development of this field in Brazil and contribute to an international debate.

Historiography and representation of animals in texts

Animals in iconography and material culture

Animals and social, political, cultural, scientific, and religious aspects

Vegetarianism in Antiquity

Should you have interest in participating in our study group, please send a message to contato@animalia-has.org with your name, area, and institutional affiliation (if applicable). We have online monthly meetings. We also host regular meetings in English so foreign members can participate. Every session lasts approximately two hours, during which we discuss two texts.

Directory of Research Groups - CNPq: http://dgp.cnpq.br/dgp/espelhogrupo/490358

Mailing-list: For news and event announcements on Human-Animal Studies in Antiquity, send a message to contato@animalia-has.org and join our mailing-list.