Deer
(ἔλαφος, νεβρός). Along with the gazelle and wild goat the deer was a popular object of hunting; miniatures depict scenes of dogs or domesticated leopards in pursuit of deer. According to legend, Basil I was pursuing on horseback a huge stag that suddenly dragged the emperor from his saddle and carried him away on its antlers. Venison was recommended during cool seasons, but not in summer when it was considered poisonous. The horns of the deer were viewed as symbols of marital infidelity. Andronikos I reportedly exhibited antlers of the deer he had hunted, ostensibly to show the size of the killed beasts but actually to mock the inhabitants of Constantinople for the adultery of their wives.... ...
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