This horse is no wild stallion, but instead, its
closely cropped mane and ornamental trappings
alert us that this domesticated steed was the
prized possession of a Roman nobleman.
Perhaps it was the beloved horse belonging to
the general of the Roman cavalry. Perhaps it was
a racing horse that once ran laps around the
competition in the Roman Hippodrome. The
horse is gorgeously rendered with loving details
including the long arched tail. The breast strap
is decorated with incised lines and has four
knobs and a crescent pendant. The halter also
has decorative knobs. The animal turns its head
slightly to its right and has both forelegs raised
slightly off the ground in an expert rendition of
equine naturalism. The horse's top tuft of hair
and its ears are erect, and the tail is held to the
right and attached to the hock of the right leg.
This charming little sculpture reveals that
mankind’s relationship to this invaluable creature
is older than we might first suspect. In fact,
there is little about the horse that would be out
of place on a contemporary rendition. Horses
provided human civilization speed and strength,
whether delivering messages to far off lands or
defending the borders from invaders. Much of
the security that allowed the ancient world to
prosper was born on the back of mighty steeds
such as this one.
- (X.0023)
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