it is the Mediterranean, specifically Italy, that gave us the poet Ovid, who in the Metamorphoses deplored the eating of animals, and the vegetarian Leonardo da Vinci, who envisioned a day when the life of an animal would be valued as highly as that of a person, and Saint Francis, who once petitioned the Holy Roman Emperor to scatter grain on fields on Christmas Day and give the crested larks a feast.
In her exploration of humanity's relationship with animals, Mary Roach highlights the significant contributions of Mediterranean thinkers and artists to vegetarianism and animal welfare. She emphasizes the legacy of the poet Ovid, whose work 'Metamorphoses' expresses a deep concern for the suffering of animals. This suggests that ancient literature has long grappled with ethical issues surrounding animal consumption and treatment.
Additionally, Roach points to Leonardo da Vinci, who advocated for the equal valuing of animal lives and foresaw a time when beings would be treated with greater compassion. Saint Francis of Assisi's compassionate acts, such as requesting that grain be spread for birds on Christmas, further illustrate a historical tradition of caring for the natural world and respecting all forms of life, suggesting a continuous dialogue about our ethical responsibilities towards animals.
