Horse

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In ancient Greece and Rome, horses were highly valued for their strength, speed, and beauty, and various breeds were used for different purposes, from military and transport to racing and ceremonial purposes. The breeds used were often chosen for their physical traits, temperament, and suitability for the task at hand, with the most notable breeds being the Thessalian, the Arabian, and the Numidian horses.

In ancient Greece, the Thessalian horse was perhaps the most renowned breed. Thessaly, a region in central Greece, was known for its fertile plains and its tradition of horse breeding. These horses were highly prized for their stamina and strength, making them ideal for both military and chariot racing. The Thessalian horses were often large, robust, and capable of withstanding the physical demands of battle, as well as being fast enough to excel in the athletic competitions held during events like the Olympic Games. These horses were often used in horse-racing, an important aspect of Greek culture, and were seen as a symbol of nobility and prestige.

In addition to the Thessalian horses, Arabian horses were highly prized in both Greece and Rome. The Arabian breed is one of the oldest and most influential horse breeds in history, known for its endurance, intelligence, and graceful build. Although Arabian horses were originally from the Arabian Peninsula, they were highly sought after by the Greeks and Romans for their superior speed and agility. The Romans especially valued these horses for their use in cavalry units. The Arabian horse’s sleek appearance and ability to endure long marches and rough terrains made it highly suitable for warfare and long-distance travel.

In ancient Rome, the Numidian horse, native to North Africa, was also highly valued, particularly for its role in cavalry units. Known for being smaller than other breeds, the Numidian horses were extremely fast and agile, which made them ideal for the light cavalry used by the Romans in battle. These horses were often used by the Roman legions in skirmishes and hit-and-run tactics, where speed and maneuverability were key. The Numidians were often depicted as warhorses in Roman art, and their skill in battle was legendary.

Adea Eurydike 318-317 BCE Alexander II 370-367 BCE Alexander of Pherai 369-359 BCE Alexander riding Bukephalos 238-244 CE Alexandreia, Troas 3rd century BCE Alexandreia, Troas 3rd century BCE Alexandreia, Troas 3rd century BCE Alexandria, Troas 281-261 BCE Amphipolis, Macedon ca 187-167 BCE Antioch, Syria 312-281 BCE Apameia, Syria 300-281 BCE Ariaramnes 280-230 BE Arsames I 240 BCE Atarneos, Mysia 400 BCE Atrax, Thessaly 3rd-2nd cent BCE Audoleon 315-28 BCE Bizye, Thrace 405-387 BCE Bucephalos 336-323 BCE Carthage 400-350 BCE Carthago Nova, Spain 209-205 BCE Choma, Lykia ca 1st century BCE Dardanos, Troas 300-200 BCE Delayah 375-333 BCE Demetrios Poliorketes 300 BCE Derdas II ca 380 BCE Gargara, Troas 4th century BCE Gauls 315-275 BCE Gyrton, Thessaly 299-200 BCE Halos, Thessaly 3rd century BCE Ionia, Kolophon 330-285 BCE Ionia, Kolophon ca 330-285 BCE Isinda, Pisidia 100-0 BCE Karkinitis, Tauric Chersonesos 300-290 BCE Kelenderis, Cilicia 350 BCE Kisthene, Mysia 4th century BCE Koinon of Macedon 220-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinon of Macedon 222-235 CE Koinon of Macedon 238-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 239-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 239-244 CE Koinon of Macedon 244-249 CE Koinon of Macedon 244-249 CE Kolophon, Ionia 330-285 BCE Kolophon, Ionia 330-285 BCE Kolophon, Ionia 360-330 BCE Kolophon, Ionia 360-330 BCE Kolophon, Ionia 360-330 BCE Kolophon, Ionia 360-330 BCE Krannon, Thessaly 350-300 BCE Krannon, Thessaly 350-300 BCE Krannon, Thessaly 4th century BCE Larissa Larissa Imitation? 4th century BCE Larissa, Thessaly 380-337 BCE Larissa, Thessaly 380-337 BCE Larissa, Thessaly 4th century BCE Larissa, Thessaly 4th century BCE Magnesia ad Maeander 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeander 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeander 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeander ca 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeander, Ionia 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeandrum 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Maeandrum 350-200 BCE Magnesia ad Meander, Ionia 350-200 Maroneia, Thrace 398-346 BCE Maroneia, Thrace 398-348 BCE Mylasa, Caria 300-100 BCE Neandria, Troas 350-310 BCE Nikomedes I 280-250 BCE Olosson, Thessaly 400-350 BCE Ophellas 322-313 BCE Orchomenos(?) 336-323 BCE Orthe, Thessaly 4th-3rd cent BCE Patraos 335-315 BCE Peirasia, Thessaly 4th century BCE Pelinna 4th-early 3rd centuries BCE Pelinna, Thessaly 350 BCE Pelinna, Thessaly 425-350 BCE Phakion, Thessaly 3rd century BCE Phakion, Thessaly ca 300-200 BCE Phalanna, Thessaly 325-300 BCE Pharkadon, Thessaly 400-350 BCE Pharsalos, Thessaly 4th-3rd cent BCE Pherai, Thessaly 300 BCE Philip II 354-349 BCE Philip IV 4th – early 3rd BCE Philomelion, Phrygia Early 1st Century CE Pumiathon of Kition 362-312 BCE Seleukeia ad Kalykadnon 200-0 BCE Seuthes III, Thrace 324-312 BCE Skostokos, Thrace 277-260 BCE Skotussa, Thessaly 3rd century BCE Skotussa, Thessaly 4th cent BCE Spithridates 334 BCE Syennesis 440-400 BCE Tanagra, Boeotia 4th century BCE Teisiphon Teisiphon, Pherai 359-353 BCE Tissaphernes 400-395 BCE Tyra, Scythia 310-300 BCE