They appear in some of our oldest works of art and could be found in many countries, but the last known one was encountered, nearly 400 years ago, in a remote corner of eastern Europe, where a monument to it now exists. Today, examples can be seen on the coats of arms of two modern nations. What is this fabled but once very real creature, which, as a famed military leader of antiquity wrote, was eagerly sought by a people who used portions of it at their banquets?

tragic_flawed

unicorns Mar 12 07, 4:51 PM

lanfranco

I don't know about you, tf, but I haven't heard of a real live unicorn being encountered anywhere in the 17th century. But, um, focusing on horns could help. Mar 12 07, 5:08 PM

peasypod

Unicorns? I think not... This is probably the Aurochs, featured on the coat of arms of Romania and Moldova, and was written about by Julius Caesar, and their horns being such wonderous drinking vessels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurochs Mar 12 07, 5:27 PM

lanfranco

Indeed, peasy, and a silver drinking horn to you! I recently met a scholar who is doing work on the myth and lore of the aurochs. She's turned up all manner of information, and I'm looking forward to the publication. Mar 12 07, 5:38 PM

gmackematix

They also featured prominently in "Asterix in Spain" I seem to recall. Mar 12 07, 8:25 PM