Naming Dogs in Ancient Greece–Some Things Never Change
by James Tabor
Popular names for dogs in antiquity, translated from Greek, include Lurcher, Whitey, Blackie, Tawny, Blue, Blossom, Keeper, Fencer, Butcher, Spoiler, Hasty, Hurry, Stubborn, Yelp, Tracker, Dash, Happy, Jolly, Trooper, Rockdove, Growler, Fury, Riot, Lance, Pell-Mell, Plucky, Killer, Crafty, Swift, and Dagger.
Stanford University classicist Adrienne Mayor has written a fascinating piece on naming dogs in ancient Greece.
Thanks to Jack Sasson for the link.
Pythagoras: When he saw that a young dog was beaten he said: Stop beating the dog who has the soul of a friend that I recognized.
Diogenes of Sinope: “And I,” said he, “am Diogenes the dog.” And when he was asked to what actions of his it was owing that he was called a dog, he said, “Because I fawn upon those who give me anything, and bark at those who give me nothing, and bite the rogues.”
Diogenes Laertios, Lives of the Philosophers
