Use of Horses in the Ancient Rome

The Ancient Romans used horses for many different activities, inlcuding sacrifices to the gods, assistance in farming, travel purpose, sports, battle, military-especially with the calvary, topics and characters in mythology and art, and money for trading.

Farming:  horses that were raced in chariot races (a popular roman sport) and won were usually sacrificed to the gods in hope of a bountiful harvest. The winning horse was taken to the priest where the horse was killed. Certain parts were used after the sacrifice. For instance, the “the blood was used to cleanse livestock”, the tail was seen as a gift of good health, and was usually given to the king, and the head was nailed to a wall, in hopes that the spirit of the horse would be looked upon by the god of the harvest as a meaningful gift and the people would be granted a successful harvest.

Travel and transportation: similar to the days of the Wild West and the use of the pony express, horses and their riders were used as a way to bring mail to and from people. In addition, horses were also used to transport goods, transportation reasons, the horse was mainly used to take people to and from desired destinations.

Equestrianism: the main sport was the exciting, thrilling, yet extremely dangerous sport of chariot racing. Similar to the present day sport of horse racing, there were professional “charioteers” (professional chariot drivers) and it attracted people on a daily basis. Also similarly to today’s horse racing, emperors or other owners would flaw or even kill opposing horses and charioteers, and if the chariot (or, like horse racing, the jockey) were to fall off, the horse continues to run, leading to scary wrecks. Similar to today, vaulting, horse acrobatics, parades up on horseback, and even a form of dressage (known then as a ‘tripudium’)

Cash market of horse: people want money. As with today, good horses were worth a lot, whether it is cash for sales purpose or trade value.  

http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/horse/horse.html

Timeline

4600 BC: 

Civilizations in Central Asia began to domesticate horse for agricultural purposes. They were mainly kept for as food and the occasional transport of good

 2600 BC:

It is believed that this is when people started riding horses. Small artifacts and statues have been found depicting people on horseback with reigns and some sort of mouth control (something similar to a bit and/or bridle)

2500-2300 BC: 

The horse has officially been integrated into the culture and society of the European world.

2300 BC: 

The Sumerians began the use of “horse and wagon” in order to carry people and goods. The horse has also made its appearance in Europe

2100 BC: 

The horse makes its first appearance in Greece after the invasion of the Indo-Europeans. This also marks the start of people using horses for military purposes

2000 BC: 

Records of horses being used as “beasts of burden” are found dating back to Mesopotamia

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1700 BC: 

With the invasion of the Hyksos people, the horse and chariot is brought to Egypt. Many other civilizations began using a horse and chariot for various reasons, but mainly for military reasons.

1340 BC: 

It is believed that a man named Kikkuli began the first “horse training” organization

1200 BC (Shang Dynasty): 

The Chinese started using chariots and wagons for the transportation of goods and for assistance for work

 

  

300 BC: 

A Greek man is believed to have written the first guide to Horsemanship

100 BC: 

The spread of the stirrup begins

1600(s) AD:

The Spanish begin using the horse on their worldly conquests 

Other Ancient Civilizations who were known to use Horses

Ancient civilizations, apart from Rome (who we already talked about) who were known to use horses include Egyptians, the Celts, , the Greeks, the Vikings, Mongols, the Hebrews, the Persians, the Arabs, and the Slavs just to name a few

The Egyptians: Surprisingly, Egyptians were not involved with horses until the Hykos people invaded and started warring against the Egyptians. There are many scenes painted on pottery and other things of hunts and chariot races. Several kings were also very fond of chariot races and hunting in chariots like King Tut.

The Celts: The Celts (who inhabitated Northern Europe and Great Britain) were known for their metal work, especially throughout the Iron Age. The horse played a key role in the Celts caste-like society. This role was everyday use (like the modern day draft type horse). In addition, the horse played a huge role when the Celts were defending themselves against the British and the Romans in many wars.

         The Greeks: Other than in the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Greeks did not use a lot of horses for military use. But, the horse was considered a sign of nobility and wealth, especially within the higher class. Although there is not a lot of proof, it is said that the Greeks did ride horses for pleasure purposes. The Greeks also are credited with the start of horsemanship.

The Vikings: When you hear the word “Vikings”, you think of tough, gigantic, strong men in boats sailing the rough seas right? And you would also think that these people would have no use for the horse, since it’s hard to one horse, not to mention two or three, on a boat. Well, the Vikings (also referred to as the “Norse” people”, were farmers, metalworkers, and travelers. Horses helped make these tasks easier. Additionally, horses played a large role in the everyday culture of the Norse people and in their mythology. Suprisingly, the Vikings are actually credited with brining the idea of the stirrup to Northern Europe (http://www.symbolic-horse.info/horse.htm)

The Arabs: The Arabs are credited for creating the now famous Arabian breed of horse (also refered to as “Arabs”). Horses were important in the Arabian culture; they were seen as a form of business and pleasure. The best horses were not sold, and did not leave Arabia. The horse was also seen as a wonderful, important gift from Allah, and it is said that Muhamad also helped in the formation of the horse. Similarly to Egypt, chariot racing was very popluar within Arabia.

         

Why I chose this topic

Many of you reading my blog are probably wondering, "Why did she choose such a random topic?". Well, as a horse person, it was obvious that I would choose a topic that was somehow related to our wonderful equine friends. But the main reason was to educate people on why horses were so important in the spread of culture and civilization of the entire world. If the horse had not been domesticated  many recognizable events and things that certain cultures are famous for would not exists  Think about it. The entire reason China built the Great Wall was to protect China from enemy armies on horseback. On the same topic of the Great Wall, it would have taken even longer to build if it wasn't for the assistance of our horse. Additionally, if it wasn't for Alexander the Great and his army of men on horses, the Greek culture and ways of life would not have been spread about the world as they were. If the horse had not been domesticated, the Roman empire wouldn't have been as strong, the Persian army wound't have been as successful, and the Spanish would not have colonized the America's as easily. We also wouldn't have as many handy, helpful tools as we do today. For example, the chariot, the wagon, the buggy, or horse drawn carriage. Additionally, we would not have our equestrian events like dressage, jumping, reining, etc. If it wasn't for the domestication of the horse, our world would not been the way it is today. 

Works Cited

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