Ancient origins of horsemanship.
Abstract: Archaeological evidence of horse domestication dates from 4000 BC in the Eurasian Steppes of the Ukraine. There, Indo-Europeans rode horses and herded them for meat. This had profound social and economic consequences which led to the development of nomadic equestrian cultures. The earliest direct evidence of riding is from Mesopotamian plaques, and correspondence of the Kings of Mari (2000 BC). Indo-Europeans brought the horse to the Near East and there, outside its natural habitat, used specialised knowledge to raise and train horses on a large scale for military use. Hittite instructions on training chariot horses are contained in the Kikkuli text from Anatolia (1350 BC). Systematic conditioning, grain feeding and elements of 'interval training' are notable. Equine prescriptions were also recovered from Ugarit (Syria) which indicate a rational approach to veterinary medicine in the same era. With the evolution of effective training and tools, chariots, metal bits, and the recurve bow, horses became formidable weapons of war. Mounted bowmen succeeded chariots in warfare, particularly nomadic Scythians who dominated Central Asia (1000-500 BC). In the Middle East (Iraq), Assyrians assembled a powerful military empire and employed a vast and skilled cavalry (900-612 BC). The first surviving text on training cavalry mounts is by the Athenian General Xenophon (400 BC) who reveals a sensitive understanding of the horse. Although the horse has been used for herding, transportation and sport, a recurring stimulus for horsemanship throughout history has been its military role.
Publication Date: 1990-03-01 PubMed ID: 2180692DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04214.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the ancient origins of horsemanship, highlighting the significant role of horses in shaping social, economic and military structures from as far back as 4000 BC in the Eurasian Steppes.
Archaeological Evidence Horsemanship
- The study begins with the assertion that the earliest evidence of horse domestication is found in archaeological records dating back to 4000 BC, in the Eurasian Steppes of Ukraine. During this period, Indo-Europeans began to ride horses and herd them for meat, leading to significant social and economic transformations that eventually led to the emergence of nomadic equestrian cultures.
- The earliest direct evidence of horse riding is sourced from Mesopotamian plaques, and correspondences of the Kings of Mari from 2000 BC.
Horse Domestication and Military Use
- The research highlights how Indo-Europeans introduced horses to the Near East. Here, specialised knowledge was used to breed and train large numbers of horses for military use, outside their natural habitat. The Kikkuli text from Anatolia, dated to 1350 BC, contains Hittite instructions on training chariot horses, demonstrating evidence of systematic conditioning, grain feeding and ‘interval training’ techniques.
- The study also notes the existence of equine prescriptions from Ugarit (in modern-day Syria), suggesting a systematic approach to veterinary medicine during the same period.
- As training methods and tools evolved, horses, equipped with newly developed chariots, metal bits, and the recurve bow, turned into powerful weapons of war.
The Role of Cavalry in Warfare
- The researchers point out that mounted bowmen replaced chariots in warfare. This was particularly true for the nomadic Scythians, who ruled Central Asia from 1000 to 500 BC.
- The Assyrians, in the Middle East (modern-day Iraq), amassed a formidable military empire using a vast, skilled cavalry between 900 and 612 BC. They are also noted in the article.
- The oldest surviving text on training cavalry mounts is attributed to Athenian General Xenophon from around 400 BC. His work reveals a nuanced understanding of horses.
Recurring Military Role of Horses
- In conclusion, the paper stresses the recurring military role of horses throughout history, despite their uses for herding, transport and sport. This military role has consistently acted as a stimulus for advancements in horsemanship.
Cite This Article
APA
McMiken DF.
(1990).
Ancient origins of horsemanship.
Equine Vet J, 22(2), 73-78.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1990.tb04214.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Asia
- Europe
- History, Ancient
- Horses / physiology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / history
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Klecel W, Martyniuk E. From the Eurasian Steppes to the Roman Circuses: A Review of Early Development of Horse Breeding and Management.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jun 22;11(7).
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