Greetings, fellow equines!
My name is Emma, and I'm a grey draught mare, nearly 20 years young now. I call the beautiful green hills of Hayfield near Aberdeen, Scotland my home. My white mane and tail blow proudly in the breeze as I roam the pastures with my herd, relishing the sweet grass and the crisp Scottish air. Today, however, I'm leaving the fields behind for a bit, as I want to share some fascinating tidbits of history that I've been mulling over.
This is the year 144, or Anno Domini (Latin for “in the year of the Lord”), a fascinating time for the equine world. And believe me, we horses, we're always keeping an eye on what's happening!
Let me paint you a picture. I've always been fascinated by the human world, a world we, horses, are intricately linked with. These humans, though sometimes a little unpredictable, are actually quite brilliant when it comes to innovation. They seem particularly interested in improving their own lives, especially by putting our talents to good use.
Right now, the human world is abuzz with the Roman Empire. A formidable force with impressive architecture, they’re all over the map, as they say! In fact, one of the reasons the human world has such an interest in horses right now is because of the Romans and their thirst for expansion. They depend on us for their travels, warfare, and even to pull their carts filled with goods, just like we do in Hayfield. It's truly remarkable how they harness our strength and agility.
Imagine, throughout these sprawling territories of the Roman Empire, countless horses roam! We’re working in the fields, on battlefields, pulling carts on paved roads they call "Roman roads" – quite the feat of engineering! They use a specialized harness for us to pull chariots - these were once just simple carts for travel, but they’ve become rather fancy, with two-wheeled contraptions, perfect for showing off, just like my favourite racing stallion!
Speaking of racing, did you know that humans in ancient Rome loved horse racing? It's a roaring spectacle, with grand arenas where riders show off their daring skills, charging with us at breathtaking speeds. You should hear the crowds roar when they cheer on their favourites! Although I myself prefer a calmer life, even I find the whole scene exhilarating, in a way.
It seems that there's even more demand for horses than usual this year. The Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius, needs more cavalry units for his legionnaires. He has decided to expand their territory even further, which makes him quite the busy man. But thankfully, for every human who seeks conquest, there’s a dedicated group who want peace. These human thinkers believe we are creatures to cherish, and not only as tools, even though they appreciate our many skills.
A well-known man named Plutarch, who also has quite a lot of opinions on human history, talks a great deal about horses. In fact, his opinions on horses and how humans relate to them are remarkably similar to those held by my humans here in Hayfield. He describes our bravery and strength but also the strong bond we develop with our humans. This is not just a way to survive for humans, Plutarch argues. Humans often describe us, in many different languages, with affectionate nicknames: ‘Steed,’ ‘Horse,’ or the Gaelic term “each,” which is something my human family calls me with great affection, particularly in their quiet moments.
Now, I know what you're thinking: the year 144, surely there’s more than just Roman Empires and human pronouncements? Well, you’re absolutely right, my dear equines! This year brings about something else completely magical and exciting! The ancient Greeks – the true innovators of many things, according to human historians – are developing new forms of riding. They've realized, you see, that it's not only our strength they should be utilizing, but also our intelligence!
Instead of just using us for transportation, they’re developing sophisticated systems of training, based on natural and respectful communication with us horses. The way I hear it, they even believe we possess souls, like humans! That's some strong thinking for those clever Greeks. This has led to all sorts of exciting developments for us, you see. It means humans are actually understanding our language, learning about what we need, and using techniques like soft persuasion. Imagine! It’s as if they finally understand the deep connection we have.
There's so much to explore about the world in 144! We're not just being put to work, but are also increasingly valued for our emotional intelligence and athletic talents.
And now, as the day dawns on Hayfield and the dew kisses the fields, it's time for me to get back to my duties. My human family calls to me. I'll leave you with one thought that resonates with me this day: There’s so much more to this world of horses and humans than meets the eye, just like the stories whispered by the wind as we trot through the open fields.
Until next time, dear equines! Remember to keep an eye on your history – it’s not all that different from the present day, when you get right down to it.
Emma
