History of Horses in the year 0318

Hello, lovely readers! Emma here, your trusty grey draught mare, penning from my cozy stall in Hayfield, just outside the bustling city of Aberdeen in the bonnie highlands of Scotland. As you all know, I’m a bit obsessed with the history of horses - there’s just something about their evolution, how they've impacted human lives, and the amazing breeds that have been developed.

Today, I’m diving deep into the year 318 A.D. Buckle up for a truly fascinating trip through time!

To truly understand 318 A.D., we need to step back a bit and remember the influence of the mighty Roman Empire. By this time, Rome had spread its wings far and wide, creating a vast network of trade and governance that extended across much of Europe, parts of Asia and Africa. Horses, of course, were at the very heart of this grand empire. They were not only valued companions for war and travel, but also essential for agricultural activities and commerce.

The Romans knew how to raise strong, dependable horses, and developed a number of specialized breeds for their various purposes. You might hear them talking about "Equus caballus," a Latin term which simply means "horse". The Romans, very practical as they were, had their horses pulling carts and chariots, carrying troops and supplies, and acting as fast couriers to carry messages across their vast dominion.

You'll also hear about the famous "Equus caballus domesticus." This translates to the domestic horse. This species, though slightly smaller than its wild cousin the Przewalski's horse (which still roams free today!) was favored by Romans for their strong builds and endurance. You would never believe just how much power was harnessed by their teams of four horses! They called these horses quadrigae, a sight to behold as they sped along Roman roads!

Now, back to our lovely Scotland. While the Romans had their grand empire, here in the north, things were a little different. There was still evidence of their influence - you see, in 318, Scotland was still being influenced by Roman culture. There might have been some horse breeding taking place, but on a smaller scale compared to what you see in the empire's more central parts.

Let's imagine, for a moment, that you were a Roman traveller, riding your fine steeds into our very own Highlands. Picture the sight: winding mountain paths, the whisper of heather in the wind, and the mighty grey-faced Scottish horses. Imagine them, majestic and free, grazing peacefully in the hillsides – a far cry from the organized stables and bustling fields of the Romans! They are sturdy creatures, these Highland horses - not fancy, like the sleek steeds of the Roman empire, but hardy and reliable, perfectly adapted for our often unforgiving landscapes. They are the type of horses that would have carried hunters across our hills, helped us farm, and probably pulled the odd cart full of fish, haggling for goods from the local merchants.

These horses were our lifeline, much like they were for the Romans, just on a smaller scale. They might have been just ordinary ponies in our eyes, but imagine the sheer wonder a Roman soldier might feel, watching our Highlanders ride and tend their horses, so attuned to this raw beauty. A sight unlike anything he'd ever seen before!

It wouldn't be right for me to end this blog post without sharing the tale of a special friend, Elara. Now, Elara was no ordinary horse! Elara was a very talented, athletic, grey horse with a dazzling silver mane and tail that blew in the wind like spun moonlight. We were inseparable in those days. She belonged to my good friend Fiona, who lived in the next village over, near Dunfermline, in Fife.

You wouldn't believe how beautiful her mane and tail were! They almost seemed to shimmer with the sunlight - just as elegant and refined as any Roman horse. And the bond she shared with Fiona! They truly had a special bond. Elara would prance around like a wild stallion, and then turn to listen to every word Fiona whispered, almost as if she could understand! Elara was the most beautiful mare I’d ever seen - strong, kind, and fearless, and loved her friend Fiona with all her heart!

Now, while we spent our days working hard - plowing fields, carrying wood, and tending to our duties, it was the journey to our little meeting spot every other week, a hidden hollow by a peaceful river, that brought us both the greatest joy! We’d share stories of the day, laugh together about silly humans and their curious ways, and let our spirits wander, as free as the wild wind on the moors. She wasn’t your typical sturdy, farm horse like me - but Elara was something special.

You may think a 4th century AD story about horses doesn’t have much going for it. But remember - horses are creatures of remarkable adaptability, beauty, and strength, whether pulling a farmer’s plough or carrying a noble lord into battle. It’s the strength and grace of the horse, the timeless power of companionship, and the undeniable spirit of adventure - these are what truly shine throughout history!

Next time I’ll be bringing you some updates on how things are going for the horses in the Roman Empire. I hope you’ll check in next week for the latest news on horses around the world - we'll be on our way to explore the horse stories of the 4th century!

Until then, have a wonderful time and let your own horse whisperings fill your heart with happiness.

All my best wishes for you and yours!

Emma, signing out from the Highlands.

[Note from Equiworld:] Please feel free to join Emma on her adventures through time at www.equiworld.org. Let’s explore the history of horses together!

[To continue this series] This fictional series is inspired by the actual historical and cultural facts surrounding horses of the time. You can extend the series for the subsequent year of the horse through 318 A.D. (or beyond) by adding these historical markers:

• 319 A.D - A major rebellion occurs against Roman rule in the area where Emma is, and the Scottish horses are called upon by their owners, to fight against their Roman occupiers. This will be interesting because Roman armies had been in their territories but now are threatened.
• 320-322 - A period of uneasy peace sets in where trade might happen, and where horse exchange (both Scottish to Roman, and Roman to Scottish) occurs. It would give an insight into different breed preferences and breeding.
• 323 A.D - This period coincides with Constantine the Great who established the city of Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It would be the chance to bring into the blog, the beautiful horses from Eastern Europe - such as Arabian, Akhal-Teke. This can create discussion around crossbreeding.
• 324-326- You could bring the "Horseman's Bible" (a treatise on training) written by Hippocrates (but often called “Xenophon’s On Horsemanship”, because of the writing style) and have Emma relate it to her experience with training in 318!
• 327- You can highlight the use of horses by nomadic people groups such as Huns and Avars (nomadic people on the Eastern Borders of the Roman Empire) and discuss horse riding styles for war and raiding in these different cultures!
• 328- The reign of Constantius II begins. You can use this as a lead in to talk about the growing trend of chariot races (particularly in the Byzantine/Roman Empire and highlight horse breeding and the use of chariots for entertainment!
• 329- The "horse in religion" can be explored here with examples of how they figured in religious traditions of these early periods, with a mention of early forms of paganism.

By keeping these key elements in mind and by incorporating your fictional story elements, you can build an enjoyable historical blog that teaches young horse-lovers and enthusiasts about the evolution and diversity of horses in the early days. Let's make this a great project!