Hunting in Byzantium: a case-study in falconry
Résumé
This paper focuses on the practice of falconry in the Byzantine empire, based on the evidence from a few rare literary texts (ekphraseis) and scientific treatises devoted to raptors and describing their training, selection, education and food. In addition to these written documents, visual sources are also analysed to better understand the function and status of hunting with raptors in Byzantium.