molossian

A member of the ancient Epirote ethnos which Olympias came from.

A breed of large dog of classical antiquity native to Epirus, resembling a mastiff and used as a hunting dog and guard dog.

But meanwhile a new grating was opened, and into the arena rushed, with mad speed and barking, whole packs of dogs,—gigantic, yellow Molossians from the Peloponnesus, pied dogs from the Pyrenees, and wolf-like hounds from Hibernia, purposely famished; their sides were lank, and their eyes bloodshot.

The hounds were Indian, Cretan or Locrian; there were also Molossians (mastiffs) and Spartans (big greyhounds).

Of or relating to Molossia or Molossians.