Romans and the paradox riddled parrot : A study and discussion of the different uses for parrots in ancient Rome

This work intends to rectify the gap in knowledge surrounding the parrot’s status in the context of the Roman empire. The focus is mainly on the different uses for parrots during this time and this paper intends to create a discussion over how these uses could have affected the bird’s standings in the Roman society. This discussion is based in the theory of “Conspicuous consumption”. Historical texts where chosen as the material for this study because of the descriptive ways that the Roman authors described parrots. The thought and reasoning’s of the Romans are prevalent to this study. Previous studies regarding birds in the ancient times where used to find some of the material seen in this study. As a subject parrots have not been thoroughly explored in the context of ancient Rome, something that was the main reason for this paper being written. Subjects that are mentioned in this study is: trade and treatment of parrots in ancient Rome, the importance of parrot’s ability to speak. The physical consumption of parrots, the use of parrots in writing and the categorization of parrots in modern studies. These subjects are discussed in relations to each other as well as their ability to reflect onto their contemporary society. The conclusion show in this paper is that the relationship between the parrots and Romans can be seen as a paradox to the modern mind. Depending on the intended use of the parrot, its status could rise or fall to reflect its purpose and how well it performed. This fluctuating status could be directly connected to the parrot’s ability, or inability, to speak clearly. This was because speech was a large part of what could have endeared its owner to the parrot. A parrot not beloved by its master might as well have been dead