and attacked people only if they were old, or had poor dental health. Pliny the Elder mentions that European lions were stronger compared to those from Syria and Africa. In the 2nd century AD, Pausanias referred to lion presence east of Nestus in Thrace, in the area of Abdera. He also referred to a story about Polydamas of Skotoussa, an Olympic winner in the 5th century BC, who allegedly used his bare hands to kill a lion on Thessalian part of Mount Olympus; and to one about Caranus of Macedon who according to the Macedonians, raised a trophy that was thrown down and destroyed by a lion that was rushing down from Mount Olympus. The Romans used Barbary lions from North Africa for lion-baiting, and lions from Greece for gladiatorial games. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey, a 2018 video game set during a fictionalized version of the Peloponnesian War (431 - 422 B.C.E.), depicts lions as a threatening form of wildlife in several areas of Ancient Greece. See also Panthera leo leo Asiatic lion Cape lion Barbary lion Panthera atrox Cultural depictions of lions References External links Panthera leo europaea The Last European Lion