Neigh-igh! Emma here, a fine grey mare with a flowing white mane and tail, your favourite blogging horse!
Welcome back to my little corner of Equiworld! Today, we're travelling back in time - all the way to the year 313 A.D. (that's After Domini, for you youngsters!).
For my equine friends and human companions who've been following my blog, you'll know I love nothing more than exploring horse history! Every year holds stories, secrets, and some neigh-tastic twists and turns - and 313 is no different!
Imagine rolling green hills, the sweet scent of heather, and the bracing Highland air. This is my world here in Hayfield near Aberdeen. My life is filled with the rhythm of work and the comfort of a close-knit herd.
Life in Hayfield in the year 313...
Life in 313 is, as you'd expect, a far cry from your comfy, electric-blanket-filled stables! We haven't quite figured out that pesky indoor plumbing, but I'll tell you this, we horses have our system all sorted.
The days start early. Our human friends are already out with us, harnessing us for our essential tasks. We plough the fields, hauling ploughs with a gentle 'neigh-eigh' for encouragement - because who doesn't love the feel of fresh soil beneath our hooves, eh?
Then we're on to transporting goods – everything from bags of grain to wood for the carpenter! Don't think for a minute that we only handle mundane stuff! Our work, especially in these early centuries, was vital for people, and you can be sure we took our duties seriously!
I can hear you thinking – “But what about leisure, Emma?” We certainly get our moments of freedom too, of course! The occasional canter around the meadows is something to look forward to, and let's not forget the gentle camaraderie we horses share while munching on lush grass beneath the Highland sun.
A Gallop through Roman History:
Hold on to your saddles, because 313 brings some big changes, especially for our brothers and sisters further afield! You see, this was a pivotal year for the Roman Empire.
Emperor Constantine decided on a groundbreaking decree, the Edict of Milan. Now, before I tell you what that is (and you'll be surprised!), I'd love to explain a little about what it meant for horses in the Roman Empire:
The Romans, they sure knew how to use us! Not only did they utilise us in their formidable army – charging in cavalry with our thunderous hooves! Imagine that spectacle. But also for transport. The roads? Built with horses in mind!
The Roman Empire, think of it like a big, stretchy chariot. The provinces were all connected by roads. That was where our teamwork shone through, carting all kinds of stuff: precious goods from faraway lands, soldiers and supplies for their troops, and even the messages that governed the empire!
So the Edict of Milan... what's the big deal, you ask? This decreed that all religious groups could practice openly. Up until that point, Christians had been persecuted. And guess what? Constantine was actually a Christian himself!
The fact is, this decree changed the world – including the lives of horses. With more peace and security, the demand for horses was increasing for all those trade routes and essential jobs, which, of course, made things more positive for horses!
Our Neigh-bourhood:
Now, back here in Hayfield, we might not be in the Roman Empire, but things were changing here, too! The Celts who lived in our neck of the woods were embracing new ideas. That's what makes this period so exciting, it was a time of shifting cultural boundaries.
It’s hard not to feel a bit of a historical pull, especially for us horses, who often bore the brunt (or the hoofprint) of those changing times.
My Favourites
This was a neigh-tastic year to be a horse, I can tell you that. If you ever get a chance to step back into history – whether you're visiting a Roman site, watching a Celtic festival, or simply taking a stroll through the countryside, just remember the powerful role that horses played.
Oh, and for my friends reading, don't forget to come back and see what's brewing next month! Who knows what incredible horse stories await us!
Until next time!
Emma.
(www.equiworld.org)
