Zebu

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Originating from South Asia, zebus were often associated with cultures in India and parts of the Middle East. The ancient Greeks, however, had more familiarity with European and African cattle breeds, and there is little evidence to suggest that zebus were widely bred or used in Greece itself.

Nevertheless, zebus did appear in the broader Mediterranean world due to trade and contact with Eastern societies. The Greeks had exposure to zebu cattle through their trade routes, especially with regions like Egypt, Persia, and India, where the animals were used for their strength, endurance, and ability to withstand hot climates. In some parts of the ancient world, zebus were used as work animals, particularly in agricultural activities, similar to how oxen were employed in Greece.