Agora (2025/Issue 2) – Animals in History

Agora is a journal of curated professional reading for History teachers. This digital download of the latest edition explores the role of animals in history and the relationships they had with people who made history.

Animals can inspire the historical interests of all students by making events from a different time and place relatable. Did you know that pigeons are the most awarded animal in military history? Or that a bear was formally enlisted so it could serve the Polish military during World War II? Why is a kangaroo prominent in a photograph of Australian soldiers at the Pyramids during World War I? Did you know that either the dingo or the agile wallaby first spread lice around the world?

Not only does this issue feature content on a range of animals that are relevant to the History curriculum, there are also several activities that teachers can adapt for classes across several year levels.

$10.00

About this item

Audience

teachers

Format

PDF

Contents

Reflection Elisa Litvin
Editorial | Guy Nolch

 

THEMA|Reflections on the theme

The Original Sidekick: How Dogs Helped Build Societies
Ben Lawless
Dogs aren’t just modern companions: they helped drive the progress that built human civilisation.

The Mysterious Origins and History of Australia’s Dingo
Loukas Koungoulos
Australia is known for its marsupial wildlife, but one native placental mammal stands out for its unique and intriguing role in ancient Australian history.

Ships of the Colonial Deserts
Phillip O’Brien
The introduction of camels was essential for the expansion and development of Australia’s colonial settlements.

Wojtek the Bear: An Unlikely Wartime Hero
Luke O’Meara
Saved as a cub by Polish soldiers in Iran, Wojtek the Bear became a valuable member of his unit.

Heroes with Wings
Rowena Morris
The most decorated animals in the twentieth century were pigeons, which were an important communications alternative in World War I and World War II.

Why Every Good Witch Needs a Cat
Kara Taylor
The cat was revered in ancient civilisations , so why did it become associated with evil?

Animal Legacies of the Ancient Greek World
Bridget Headlam, Tom Harris and Jo Clyne
The use of animals in ancient Greece as insignia, allegories, and in association with deities laid the foundation for an enduring historical shorthand that has been carried into the modern-day world.

Using Archaeology to Investigate the Connections between People and Animals in Australia’s History
Georgia L. Stannard
Archaeology offers a unique perspective on the complex relationship between humans and animals throughout Australia’s history, from Deep Time to the colonial era.

 

 

PRAKTIKOS |Teaching Ideas

Animals in War: Opportunities for Critical Thinking and Empathy
Caitlin Arneil
Animals open avenues for students to access higher order critical thinking and empathy skills that may not be available through traditional studies of warfare. 

How Animals Permeate Ancient Greco-Roman History
Elsie Leask
Animals in ancient Greece and Rome were portrayed as loyal companions, heroic rescuers and divine creatures that lent authenticity to the foundation myths of leaders.

The Contribution of Animals in Human History
Jo Leech
Activities that require Year 7 and 8 students to research the role of animals in history can capture their imaginations and expand their historical skills.

How Were Animals Used in World War I?
Jo Leech
Some weird and wonderful roles played by animals in World War I can add an extra dimension to the Year 9 History investigation ‘Australians at War’.

Teaching the Importance of Animals in Historical Sources
Nicholas Drummond
Teaching students how to recognise and decipher new symbols, such as animals, can help them develop a stronger understanding of a source.

PARASITE: A Practical Source Analysis Tool for History Classrooms
Jordan Clark
Annotation empowers students to respond to visual source questions with more confidence, detail, and accuracy.

SUNGRAPHO | Research and analysis

Images of the Russian Revolution
Michael Adcock
Art and early photographs provide insightful visual context to the conditions and tensions that led to revolution in Russia.

KRITIKOS | Reviews