CHAPTER II.

SHEEP-BREEDING AND PASTORAL LIFE OF THE ANCIENTS--ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES, ETC.

Sheep-breeding in Sicily--Bucolic poetry--Sheep-breeding in South Italy--Annual migration of the flocks--The ram employed to aid the shepherd in conducting his flock--The ram an emblem of authority--Bells--Ancient inscription at Sepino--Use of music by ancient shepherds--Superior quality of Tarentine sheep--Testimony of Columella--Distinction of the coarse and soft kinds--Names given to sheep--Supposed effect of the water of rivers on wool--Sheep-breeding in South Italy, Tarentum, and Apulia--Brown and red wool--Sheep-breeding in North Italy--Wool of Parma, Modena, Mantua, and Padua--Origin of sheep-breeding in Italy--Faunus the same with Pan--Ancient sculptures exhibiting Faunus--Bales of wool and the shepherd’s dress--Costume, appearance, and manner of life of the ancient Italian shepherds 256