Obviously snails were bigger and much more aggressive back then.
John
John and Cheryl Jacobs
President/Editor St. Petersburg Shell Club
COA 2024-2025 Oral/Silent Auction Chairs
Seffner, FL
From: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of John Varner
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 12:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Knights v. snails, and the Snail racing team of Sienna
The article here (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231221-the-mystery-of-the-medieval-fighting-snails?mc_cid=426239d340&mc_eid=fff913ea58) is from the BBC, and details a Medieval penchant for illustrating knights in combat with snails.
No less puzzling is the naming of one of Sienna, Italy's districts' racing teams bearing the name "the snails" and emblazoning their flag with a snail logo. The snail is the emblem of the Chiocciola district, an area of Sienna historically known as the center of terra cotta production. The depiction of the snail bears a resemblance to Helix pomatia, the most revered escargot snail specie. According to Wikipedia, "Chiocciola's rival is Tartuca (Tortoise). Its allies are Istrice (Porcupine), Pantera (Panther) and Selva (Forest)." Each year for hundreds of years, there are 2 annual horseraces (contrade) around the cobblestone central square of Sienna. 17 clans or teams participate. The Snails last won in August, 1999.
Nichio, another district team, bears a seashell logo, a crowned scallop flanked by coral branches.
Any Conch-L'ers have thoughts on this rather whimsical bit of history?
Happy New Year, BTW!!
John
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