Pigeon post

[Eleatic Guest]

Did the ancients possess a pigeon post? I specifically mean a regular service of carrier pigeons which transported written messages, not just a band around the neck or those cases where the return of the dove as such delivered a message to the recipient.

[Epictetus]

I don't recall every reading anything about regular service for carrier pigeons. Reading Pliny, I would guess that they were used for more specialised services as he says they were used in "affairs of importance."

In addition to this, pigeons have acted as messengers in affairs of importance. During the siege of Mutina, Decimus Brutus, who was in the town, sent despatches to the camp of the consuls fastened to pigeons' feet. Of what use to Antony then were his intrenchments, and all the vigilance of the besieging army? his nets, too, which he had spread in the river, while the messenger of the besieged was cleaving the air?

Many persons have quite a mania for pigeons--Building towns for them on the top of their roofs, and taking a pleasure in relating the pedigree and noble origin of each. Of this there is an ancient instance that is very remarkable; L. Axius, a Roman of the equestrian order, shortly before the Civil War of Pompeius, sold a single pair for four hundred denarii, as we learn from the writings of M. Varro Countries even have gained renown for their pigeons; it is thought that those of Campania attain the largest size.
Pliny, Natural History, 10.52

Perhaps they could have been used "regularly" for a short period of time, such as for a specific military campaigning season or something of the like.

[D B Campbell]

Nice quote, David. Appian (the usual source for Mutina: BCiv. 3.49, etc.) doesn't mention the carrier pigeons. Thanks!

[D B Campbell]

More detail on the pigeons at Mutina: Frontinus, Stratagems 3.13.8. Not quite a pigeon post, but an interesting recognition of the pigeon's homing instinct.