Audiobook Arrian on coursing : the Cynegeticus of the younger Xenophon, translated from the Greek, with classical and practical annotations, and a brief sketch of the life and writings of the author. To which is added an appendix, containing some account of the Canes Venatici of classical antiquity

The work opens with an extensive exploration of classical treatises on the chase, focusing primarily on the two Cynegeticus texts of Xenophon and Arrian of Nicomedia. The author investigates the methods of hunting practiced by the Greeks, Romans, and Celts, contrasting the ancient reliance on nets, snares, and traps with the open-field coursing characteristic of the Celtic hound. Through meticulous analysis of historical passages, the text categorizes the canine species of antiquity into three distinct groups: pugnacious dogs of war, keen-nosed hounds of scent, and the swift-footed coursers that run solely on sight. Special attention is given to the physical traits, temperament, and rearing of greyhounds, alongside detailed accounts of kennel management and the religious rituals performed by ancient sportsmen to ensure success in the field. The work concludes with an extensive scholarly appendix examining the various breeds of hunting dogs mentioned in classical literature, tracing their origins, migrations, and representation in poetry and prose from antiquity through the medieval period.