Story: Dolphins

Dolphin frieze, Palace of Knossos

Dolphin frieze, Palace of Knossos

Dolphins were revered by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and given prominence in works of art. A well-known early depiction is this frieze in the Palace of Knossos, on the island of Crete, from 3,500 years ago. The dolphin's distinctive markings were often depicted on Greek coins.

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Photograph by Simon Nathan

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Dolphins - Common dolphins', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4665/dolphin-frieze-palace-of-knossos (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015