Dromedary, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
The dromedary is smaller than the camel but is faster. Its role in facilitating trade and transportation across desert regions contributed to its association with opulence and extravagance.
Similar to the camel, the dromedary was also seen as a symbol of humility and asceticism, particularly in contrast to its association with wealth and luxury. This interpretation was influenced by Jesus' teaching about the difficulty of a rich person entering the kingdom of God, using the metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25).
Transcription
Translation
stature. sed velotioris. Unde et nomen habet. Nam
dromos grece; cursus et velocitas appellatur. Centum enim
et amplius milia; una die perge solet. Quod animal
sicut et bos. et ovis et camelus; ruminat. Rumina-
tio autem dicta est; a ruma eminente gutturis parte
per quam dimissus cibus; a ceteris revocatur animalibus.
The dromedary is a species of camels, of smaller stature indeed, but swifter. Its name derives from the Greek word δρόμος/drómos that means run/running, for this beast covers more than a hundred miles in a single day. This animal ruminates just as oxen, sheep and camels do. Ruminating takes its name from the word rūma, the prominent part of the throat through which the swallowed food travels back from the rumen to the mouth, unlike other animals.
Bibliography
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