llie Corner
The Real Sea Monster
A Giant Whale That Terrified Romans
Social media lit up in spring of 2023 with news that orcas were attacking boats off the coasts of Portugal and Spain. Experts can’t agree on the reason behind this aggressive behavior, but history tells us it’s not the first time whales have gone rogue against sea vessels in their midst. Citizens of the Eastern Roman Empire (aka the Byzantine Empire) dealt with a similar problem in the form of a fearsome giant whale they named Porphyrios. Porphyrios struck terror into the hearts of fishermen, merchants, and soldiers who frequented the waters around Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) during the 6th century; he spent roughly 50 years attacking boats of all sizes throughout the area. Then he would disappear for years at a time, but the locals never knew when he would reappear to sink more ships. The whale caused so many problems for commerce and defense that Roman Emperor Justinian I reportedly prioritized capturing or killing him. But even the greatest war strategists could not devise a way to take Porphyrios down. He was like a natural disaster, and leaders could stop him no more than they could hold off a hurricane. As with today’s killer whales, experts are unsure what drove Porphyrios’behavior. Since cameras would not be invented for more than 1,000 years, there are no photographs of Porphyrios, and it’s impossible to know what species he was. Due to his enormous size and apparent long life, many marine biologists believe he was a sperm whale. However, others point out that sperm whales rarely live in the region where Porphyrios caused his mayhem and think he was an orca — perhaps an ancestor of the modern-day boat bashers around Europe.
decreased endurance, are reluctant to get up, and are less eager to jump on furniture or go down stairs. Cats and dogs could also refrain from their usual family interactions, eating and drinking less, not grooming themselves as often, sleeping in unusual positions, trying to hide, and showing signs of uncharacteristic aggression. Abnormal Postures For dogs and cats: When your furry friend stands, their front legs could be under their chest as an attempt to take some of the weight away from their painful hips or rear legs. You may notice that when your cat lays down, they keep their legs tucked underneath them instead of stretching to one side. Your dog may stretch their legs to one side rather than being tucked close to them. If your furry companion displays any unusual behavior or seems to be in pain, please don’t hesitate to contact Petersen Pet Hospital. They can get to the bottom of your pet’s issue and help your furry friend return to 100% again!
Fall is here, which means it’s time to bring on the pumpkin spice lattes! But sweet treats are better when you can share them with your furry friends. So this season, whip up this pup-friendly pumpkin spice latte so you and your pooch can celebrate the season together!
Unfortunately for Porphyrios and animal lovers, the whale’s antics eventually caught up with him. While chasing a school of dolphins, Porphyrios beached himself near the mouth of the Black Sea and struggled unsuccessfully to
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup goat’s milk or
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Dash of ground ginger Organic xylitol-free whipped cream
unsweetened coconut milk
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1 cup pumpkin purée
push his body back into the ocean. Meanwhile, Byzantines caught wind that their enemy was helpless and attacked with ropes and axes, giving Porphyrios a gory death and themselves a feast of whale meat.
Dash of ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS 1. In a blender, place all ingredients and blend until mixture is thick and creamy, about 1 minute. 2. In a small dish, pour about 3–6 oz of the mixture (depending on your dog’s size). Top with whipped cream and serve! TIP : Place the rest in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for about a week!
Despite his inauspicious end, Porphyrios is still the only whale to threaten the Roman Empire. We can only hope he will be the only marine life ever to pose such a threat.
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