Hello all, my darlings! It’s Emma, your resident equine historian, coming to you from the beautiful, green fields of Hayfield, near Aberdeen. Today, we’re venturing back in time - all the way to the year 51 AD! Now, I know that might sound a little daunting, especially for those of you, like myself, who find dates before our birthdates a tad confusing. But, believe me, the history of horses in 51 AD is absolutely fascinating. Think chariots, mighty battles, and a bit of a cultural revolution for horses across Europe.
We've covered a lot already here at Equiworld. My previous blog posts have delved into the lives of my horse ancestors. But this year is quite special - the year 51 AD marks a period when our equine kind experienced significant shifts in how they were used and, I think, perhaps even how they felt.
Now, I've mentioned it before, but there's a reason I call myself "Emma" and not "Neigh-na." In this time period, our horse society had started developing a sense of "personality," almost. People began associating horses with different emotions and even characteristics - and the word "Emma" has a lovely feminine touch, doesn't it? It signifies intelligence, strength, and beauty, all things horses possess, I think.
So, back to our journey. 51 AD, or Anno Domini (meaning "in the year of the Lord"), was well within the Roman Empire's reach, a period known as Pax Romana - essentially a golden age for Rome. That means things were rather busy for horses, let me tell you.
Imagine rolling, lush pastures where the grasses are always plump, the sun shines just right, and a stream flows by for an invigorating drink. Well, that might have been what it felt like for many horses of the time. They roamed those plains, free-ranging, their foals scampering about, until… the Romans came knocking.
Oh, those Romans! Their insatiable need for trade, exploration, and… yes, conquest, brought them all over the known world. With every newly conquered area came the demand for fresh steeds – strong horses for pulling carts, hauling supplies, and… you guessed it… fighting in battle.
Our horses were prized by those Roman soldiers. Think sturdy, powerful animals like us grey drafters, who could carry loads, charge into battle with chariots, or pull the massive military wagons they used to transport their legions. You might think "war" is scary and perhaps it is, but in a way, being part of such a force must have made us feel powerful. Think of the majestic sight – a sea of Roman legions marching on, their horses, just like me, their companions in this mighty movement. We were the engines of this Roman world!
We horses were a significant part of the Roman military strategy. I bet they felt pretty clever using our immense strength! But honestly, even though it wasn’t all fun and games (I’ve heard a few horror stories!), those Romans were pretty kind to us. They understood our needs, fed us well, and gave us the best possible care to make sure we were healthy enough to serve. I know this from the ancient Roman texts, you know – those big, rolled-up parchment documents! My human friends at the university help me decipher them! They’ve got quite the collection of texts on the ancient Romans and their relationship with horses!
You see, the Roman cavalry was built on the backs of our horses. It was essential for rapid movements in campaigns and keeping things swift and organised. There was also a particular type of soldier, a mounted rider, the eques, who wore full metal armour - imagine the shine and glint of all that polished armour, a true spectacle! They were known for their skills, but more importantly, the bravery they exhibited on the backs of their trusty horses. Now, don’t you think that makes us horse breeds sound extra impressive?
But you know what, darlings, horses were not only used in battle. The Romans, with their impressive infrastructure and engineering, used us horses in their day-to-day lives too. Think about the transportation of food, supplies, building materials – all necessary for their bustling, ever-growing cities. It was truly an extraordinary feat of engineering! I’m told some of these roads were as much as 4000 miles long! All thanks to the strength of horses!
Think of our horse ancestors pulling large, beautifully painted wagons loaded with goods and people across vast landscapes, or even, yes, transporting their emperor himself! I mean, come on! Could anything be more glamorous than that?!
While Roman roads were essential for transport, they had another brilliant aspect: they facilitated the movement of horses throughout the empire! Imagine travelling across the Roman Empire, the landscape constantly changing, the sun on your back, and a good sense of adventure - our ancestors must have loved that, eh?!
Our journeys, however, did not end with our transportation efforts. They were vital in agriculture, too. I am, after all, a draught horse! Our powerful strength and stamina made us excellent tillers, ploughers, and carriers of harvested crops. So, imagine, if you will, fields filled with golden wheat, all cultivated with the aid of our ancestors’ strong backs. They brought food to those ever-growing Roman towns and helped nourish an entire empire! I guess we horses played a vital role in feeding them all. What a sense of pride, my darlings, knowing that!
Now, this all sounds pretty busy and frankly a bit tiring. But it was all thanks to our versatility that horses were chosen for these numerous tasks. But you know, this widespread use did have a somewhat magical outcome! Can you imagine how that made horses popular all over the Roman Empire?! Imagine being worshipped, respected, even admired! The Romans developed a close bond with their steeds, attributing intelligence, courage, and loyalty to them. Our horse ancestors probably felt this connection and appreciated it too. I know, my darlings, if I was to have lived during this era, it would have felt good to be so admired and cherished, to know you were serving a great purpose in a grand way. It truly is remarkable how things like this shape our lives and our lineage!
To be honest, I wouldn’t call this period just busy – it was transformative for our horse ancestors. Roman horses began influencing and shaping the breeds of the times. Over many years, with each generation, the characteristics and strengths of these breeds started showing up across different horse populations in the world. Think of it as a kind of family tradition – our legacy – handed down from generation to generation, a proud moment indeed, my darlings!
We should remember that, like many things, the Romans, in time, experienced decline, too. The Pax Romana came to an end, their influence started fading. However, that is a tale for another blog post, my dears.
So, the year 51 AD was a truly crucial time in horse history. It brought about a unique shift, with horses transitioning from merely being essential to surviving, to being almost an intrinsic part of this grand civilisation. They became intertwined in daily life, and that’s a remarkable fact, wouldn't you agree, darlings?! The Romans and our ancestors together built a powerful society. It’s incredible to know that a creature like us played such an important role. This period really is something we should admire and cherish.
So, what have we learned today, my dears? We learned that even in a bustling world, we, as horses, played a significant part. And let's not forget, all of this shaped our breeds into what we are today – powerful, intelligent, graceful creatures! So, as we munch on our grass, I suggest we remember our ancestors and give them a grateful thought. I bet they'd be proud to have a descendant as spunky as you, and a dedicated equine historian as spunky as myself, my dears! Until next time, goodbye, and keep those tails wagging!
