DD1991 Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I know that the name Tyrannosaurus means "tyrant reptile", but I was curious to see if Barnum Brown was comparing the predatory nature of T. rex to the brutality of the ancient Greek tyrants like Hippias because the 20th century's most brutal tyrants rose to power decades after T. rex was described in 1905 (in a similar twist, at one time, one of the specimens of Tarbosaurus bataar was named Jenghizkhan by George Olshevsky because its predatory nature is comparable to the plunder and destruction that Genghis Khan and his hordes wreaked on the peoples of the territories they conquered). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgehiker Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 (edited) Interesting question. However, Just a note...T.rex was named by Osborn and not Brown. Tyrannosaurus rex has got to be the most imaginative and catchy genus / species name ever bestowed upon an organism. It conjures up an immediate image. Edited October 18, 2013 by Ridgehiker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regg Cato Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 It was also described, along with Dynamosaurus, without an etymology (Albertosaurus is the only taxon named in that paper for which an etymology is provided)...and a diagnosis consisting of "Carnivorous Dinosaurs attaining very large size. Humerus believed to be of large size and elongate (Brown). No evidence of bony dermal plates (Brown)." Fortunately it's now one of the best known theropods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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