Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This book argues that in Roman Britain, where little written evidence survives, some aspects of the past are more visible when we look not at people, but instead focus on the dogs nipping at their heels. It begins by providing evidence for the lives of real dogs in Britain under Roman rule. The book then explores how authors in the period used dogs as metaphors, shedding light on issues of hierarchy, inequality, and enslavement. It also delves into the role of dogs as ritual agents, examining their use in temple and shrine rituals and their presence in everyday household religious practices. Finally, it investigates what dogs did for ritual and what they can tell us about the making of Roman provincial culture.</jats:p>