were the lion hunts a myth

[iskander_32]

I have read and seen the pictures depicting Alexander hunting lions.Where there,are there actually lions in Greece or Macedonia ? I assumed lions native to Africa or did macedonia have a species of big cat that Alexander may have hunted?Any Ideas on this as I am not aware of any native lions in Europe.RegardsKenny

[marcus]

I seem to remember there was quite a long discussion about this about a year ago.I'm no expert, but 'lions' certainly lived in many areas where they are now extinct. Their decline and extinction was probably due to the Roman habit of exhibiting animals in the arena. But the lions that roamed in (parts of) Macedonia (and elsewhere in the Balkans), and in the Levant, were not the same as the large, big-maned beasties we are accustomed to seeing in Africa. They were probably smaller, although not necessarily less dangerous. After all, it was considered quite a feat that Lysimachos was famed for killing a lion in Syria, single-handed.All the bestMarcus

[lucinos]

there were lions in Greece. Aristotle is talking about lions as a very rare spiecies. in helenistic age free lions vanished but there existed in captivity until the Roman age. Greek lions were different from the Africans but the same type to those in Asia. there still exist Asian lions in Asia (I think in India)

[nick]

http://www.pothos.org/alexander.asp?par ... onsRegards -Nick

[lucinos]

Very good. Thanks.

[Goce]

I strongly doubt there were lions in Greece, the climate there would have have been unsuitable for them to exist. Macedonia being much more elevated and mountanous would definetly have had them!

[lucinos]

I believe there are no humans beings is Australia. the sun is too strong there.
I strongly doubt there were lions in Greece, the climate there would have have been unsuitable for them to exist. Macedonia being much more elevated and mountanous would definetly have had them!

[Goce]

Don't you get it Lucinos???
Aleksandar didn't grow up in Greece he wasn't from Greece.
but wait... he hunted and killed lions there growing up...
Yes there were lions in greece.
go back to your greek books

[lucinos]

just read Aristotle.

[lucinos]

http://www.pothos.org/alexander.asp?par ... le=Lionsas nickw showed

[lucinos]

lions also existed in southern Greece but in Alexanders time were already vanished (existed until the 2nd milenium bc)

[ruthaki]

I would hazard a guess that they were much like the cougars that roam the mountain areas here in Canada. Although in the mosaic I think it's a maned lion. They could have been a smaller kind than the African. There were lots of wild animals in those forests at Alexander's time that are now extinct.

[Goce]

Why would i read Aristotle greek propaganda version?
after all they were the ones that killed him.
Sure i might get some tips to help me but there would be a lot of fairytale stuff in there as well especially about greece and Macedonia.Your right the Macedonian Lions were maned, not only as shown in the mosaic but also Macedonia's coat of arms distinctly shows this.

[nick]

Hi Ruth -I think this IUCN-map is highly informative.http://lynx.uio.no/catfolk/asaleof1.htmRegards -Nick

[stavros]

please. my stomach is churning. wannabe all you like. Alexanders macedonia was Greek.