By our side, in life and in death

The oldest archaeological evidence of domesticated dog bones comprises two significant discoveries: one in Germany, dating back 14,700 years, where a dog was buried alongside a couple; and another in Israel, dating back 12,000 years, where a woman was buried with a puppy nestled under her arm, only a few months old.

In Greece, depictions of dogs can be traced back to prehistoric times, predominantly appearing in Creto-Mycenaean art and exclusively within hunting scenes. However, it wasn't until the Archaic period, starting from the 7th century BC onward, that the portrayal of domesticated dogs is witnessed. These representations mark a notable change in human perceptions of dogs, elevating them from mere objects of utility to esteemed companions in human life. Following this transformation, depictions of dogs in ancient Greek art proliferate, establishing them as the second...