#Melampus

[somehow---here]

La vecchiaia è una realtà che deve esserti comunicata, da solo non si riesce mai a intenderla, può essere scambiata per stanchezza, per noia, e anche per un raffinamento del gusto, del modo di intendere la vita: chiudersi, star soli, leggere e rileggere, sentirsi saggi.

Ennio Flaiano, "Melampus, La metamorfosi amorosa di una donna", 1970, cap. 12

[inatungulates]

Common impala Aepyceros melampus

With red-billed oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus

Observed by lemoncul, CC BY-NC

[ltwilliammowett]

HMS Melampus, 36- guns, 1785 (detail), by Chris Woodhouse, 1990

[podartists]

The Pallah | African scenery and animals (1804) | Samuel Daniell | Flickr

[thegreatprinceoftheforest]

Common Impala | Judd Patterson

[travelella]

Impala in Akagera National Park, Kayonza, Rwanda

Max Christian

Speed: 47 – 56 mph (Running, In a zig-zag)

Mass: 88 – 170 lbs (Male, Adult), 66 – 110 lbs (Female, Adult)

Animal sounds: an explosive 'chuff' alarm bark – wildambience.com

Gestation period: 183 – 213 days

Scientific name: Aepyceros melampus

Trophic level: Herbivorous 

The impala or rooibok is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The only extant member of the genus Aepyceros, and tribe Aepycerotini, it was first described to Europeans by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812.

The impala inhabits woodlands due to its preference for shade; it can also be found on the interface (ecotone) between woodlands and savannahs. Places near water sources are preferred. In southern Africa, populations tend to be associated with Colophospermum mopane and Acacia woodlands.

Impalas are herbivores (folivores). As grazers, these antelopes consume grass, while as browsers, they feed upon wide variety of vegetation, including fruits, seedpods, shoots as well as leaves of trees and bushes.

Most impalas are currently not endangered, about two million impala live in the wild or on private land today. About one quarter of these live in protected areas in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Oct 21, 2023

[amber-tortoiseshell]

Phylogenetic weasel tournament

Family: Mustelidae

Subfamily: Guloninae

Genus: Martes

Another incredible mustelid enters the tournament. This family just gives and gives

pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

[warcrimesimulator]

Japanese marten (Martes melampus) Tokyo, Japan Photos © Nature Production

[markhors-menagerie]

Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Also known as the roibok, these lithe antelope are found in woodlands and savannas across southeastern Africa. They eat a variety of vegetation, as well as fruit. Impalas have impressive leaping abilities- they can leap up to 9.8 feet (3m) into the air and across distances of 33 feet (10m). They also have a unique tooth arrangement which they use to groom each other, an important part of social bonding.

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

Black-faced Impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi)

(Photo by Burak Dogansoysal)

Conservation Status- Vulnerable

Habitat- Southwestern Africa

Size (Weight/Length)- 76 kg; 160 cm

Diet- Leaves; Fruits; Shrubs

Cool Facts- The black-faced impala is the largest of the impala subspecies. When watching an animal documentary, you might think that impala are the joke of the African animal kingdom. Targeted by almost all predators from lions to cheetahs to crocodiles, these impala have beat the odds. Capable of leaping 3 meters directly into the air and up to 10 meters in a single stride while running, black-faced impala can run up to 90 kilometers per hour. Impala have a unique way to ward off predators if running does not work. They begin stotting. It appears as if the impala is bucking while running, and while it may be slower it also shows the impala’s strength to the predator as if saying “I’m fast and strong, don’t eat me.”

Rating- 12/10 (Can clear a one story house in one jump.)

[lilas]

nimbus, the white lanner

—

Nimbus’s Feather

A feather imbued with water aspected aether. Cool to the touch.

Material used for crafting items.

After many millennia, wings unfurl once more toward a familiar hue.

—

an oc lore post for Avi’li Sostomi

Long ago before the world was sundered into fourteen, an Ancient by the name of Melampus brought into creation a bird that could bring rain to the thirsty and malnourished across Ethierys (she probably did this illegally tbh; a fan of Amaurotine bureaucracy she is not, which is why there has ever only been one Nimbus)

She thought herself an ineffective teacher to the bird, so she entrusted it to a close friend, Apollo, apprentice and apparent successor to Azem, who could serve as a guide and mentor both as they travel the Star, bringing with them rain and succor

Apollo named this bird Nimbus, the Rainbringer

Nimbus and Apollo had a strong bond, not unlike Avi’li and Otes and Ardbert and Seto

After the Sundering, Nimbus kept to the aetherically dense regions of ice and water, both on the Source and Reflections, living and hunting for thousands of years…

…until, just a few years ago, Nimbus sensed a familiar presence in the Sea of Clouds

Avi’li, through the Echo, felt an immediate kinship with the beast, and recalled its given name: Nimbus

Nimbus now follows Avi’li, always close and sticking to the clouds overhead unless called upon

With its great wings, Nimbus reaches heights and speeds that would strain Otes, so Avi’li oft calls upon Nimbus to cover large distances quickly

Nimbus can also travel through aetherically dense clouds and fog to travel between the Source and Reflections, barring specific circumstances

[somehow---here]

A una certa età ci si accorge che un amore riassume tutto e che si amano varie ipotesi di una stessa persona o, se preferite, una stessa ipotesi di varie persone.

Ennio Flaiano, "Melampus, La metamorfosi amorosa di una donna", 1970, cap. 12

[inatungulates]

Common impala Aepyceros melampus

With red-billed oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus

Observed by jrgale, CC BY-NC

[verdantlyviolet]

Some Pet Dog Names from Ancient Greece

When the hound has caught the hare, or been otherwise victorious in the course, you should […] pat him with your hand and praise him, kissing his head, and stroking his ears, and speaking to him by name […] for, like men of generous spirit, they love to be praised; and the dog, if not quite tired out [from the hunt] will come up with joy to caress you. (Arrian, On Coursing, XVIII Pg 116 trans. William Dansey)

As many dogs were hunting hounds or guard dogs in Ancient Greece, it followed that the naming convention was dependant on psychology; to name the dog something strong or skilful was to boast of the animals’ superiority to others of its breed, just as it reflected on the owner. There are some well known dogs in Ancient Greek history that many are aware of, namely Cerberus, Odysseus’ faithful dog Argos, and Alexander the Great named a city after his dog Peritas. We are lucky to have two lists of excellent dog names from authors Xenophon and Ovid.

From Xenophon (~ 430 - 355 BC), in his treaties on Hunting, we have the below list:

Give the hounds short names, so as to be able to call to them easily. The following are the right sort: Psyche, Thymus, Porpax, Styrax, Lonchê (Lance), Lochus, Phrura, Phylax (Sentinel/Guardian), Taxis, Xiphon, Phonax, Phlegon, Alcê (Stout), Teuchon, Hyleus, Medas (Crafty), Porthon, Sperchon (Bustler/Hasty), Orgê, Bremon, Hybris, Thallon (Vigorous), Rhomê, Antheus (Blossom), Hebe, Getheus, Chara (Jolly/Ecstasy), Leusson, Augo (Bright), Polys, Bia, Stichon, Spudê, Bryas, Oenas (Blueskin), Sterrus, Craugê, Caenon, Tyrbas, Sthenon, Aether, Actis, Aechmê, Noes (Counsellor), Gnomê, Stibon, Hormê (Impetus). (Xenophon Kynegetikos On Hunting 7.5)

A kind person on Reddit suggested these names could also translate as:

Psyche = Psyche / Spirit

Thymus = Pluck

Porpax = Buckler

Styrax = Spigot

Lonche = Lance

Lochus = Lurcher

Phrura = Watch

Phylax = Keeper

Taxis = Brigade

Xiphon = Fencer

Phonax = Butcher

Phlegon = Blazer

Alce = Prowess

Teuchon = Craftsman

Hyleus = Foster

Medas = Counsellor

Porthon = Spoiler

Sperchon = Hurry

Orge = Fury

Bremon = Growler

Hybris = Riot / Insolence

Thallon = Bloomer

Rhome = Rome / Mighty

Antheus = Blossom

Hebe = Hebe / Youth (Young’n)

Getheus = Hilary / Happy

Chara = Jollity

Leusson = Glazer

Augo = Eyesbright

Polys = Much

Bia = Force

Stichon = Trooper

Spude = Bustle

Bryas = Bubbler

Oenas = Rockdove

Sterrus = Stubborn

Crauge = Yelp

Caenon = Killer

Tyrbas = Strongboy / Riot

Sthenon = Sky

Aether = Sunbeam

Actis = Bodkin

Aechme = Wistful

Noes = Gnome

And from Ovid (~ 43 BC - 17 AD), in his Metamorphosis, of the dogs that attacked their master Actaeon, we have:

First ‘Black-foot’, Melampus, and keen-scented Ichnobates, ‘Tracker’, signal him with baying, Ichnobates out of Crete, Melampus, Sparta. Then others rush at him swift as the wind, ‘Greedy’, Pamphagus, Dorceus, ‘Gazelle’, Oribasos, ‘Mountaineer’, all out of Arcadia: powerful ‘Deerslayer’, Nebrophonos, savage Theron, ‘Whirlwind’, and Laelape, ‘Hunter’. Then swift-footed Pterelas, ‘Wings’, and trail-scenting Agre, ‘Chaser’, fierce Hylaeus, ‘Woody’, lately gored by a boar, the wolf-born Nape, ‘Valley’, Poemenis, the trusty ‘Shepherd’, and Harpyia, ‘Snatcher’, with her two pups. There is thin-flanked Sicyonian Ladon, ‘Catcher’, Dromas, ‘Runner’, ‘Grinder’, Canache, Sticte ‘Spot’, Tigris ‘Tigress’, Alce, ‘Strong’, and white-haired Leucon, ‘Whitey’, and black-haired Asbolus, ‘Soot’. Lacon, ‘Spartan’, follows them, a dog well known for his strength, and strong-running Aëllo, ‘Storm’. Then Thoos, ‘Swift’, and speedy Lycisce, ‘Wolf’, with her brother Cyprius ‘Cyprian’. Next ‘Grasper’, Harpalos, with a distinguishing mark of white, in the centre of his black forehead, ‘Black’, Melaneus, and Lachne, ‘Shaggy’, with hairy pelt, Labros, ‘Fury’, and Argiodus, ‘White-tooth’, born of a Cretan sire and Spartan dam, keen-voiced Hylactor, ‘Barker’ […] First ‘Black-hair’, Melanchaetes, wounds his back, then ‘Killer’, Theridamas, and Oresitrophos, the ‘Climber’, clings to his shoulder. (Ovid Metamorphoses III 206-233 trans. A S Kline)

Theoi has Brookes More’s translation which offers a few English variations on the names.

A few fun ideas to keep in mind if looking to name a new pet in Ancient Greek style.

For I have myself bred up a hound whose eyes are the greyest of grey; a swift, hard-working, courageous, sound-footed dog[…]. He is most gentle, and kindly-affectioned […] as soon as he catches sight of me, showing symptoms of joy, and again trotting on before me. […] He is the constant companion of whichever may be sick; and if he has not seen either of us for only a short time, he jumps up repeatedly by way of salutation, and barks with joy as a greeting. (Arrian, On Coursing, V Pg 78-80 trans. William Dansey)

🐶 Sources

Xenophon Kynegetikos

Arrian On Coursing

Ovid Metamorphoses III

Dog shaped Rhyton by the Brygos Painter in Aleria

[crittervillage]

Japanese Marten (Korean subspecies) Martes melampus coreensis

[thegreatprinceoftheforest]

Common Impala | Justyn Stahl