Hi Guys, I just came across this forum accidently. I think It's great fun and some of you guys come up with lots of thoughts and knowledge about this historical stuff. After reading the threads over and over again, I really learned quite a bunch. Still there is one thing bothering me: In those ancient times, with no cars or bikes, how did those people travel longer distances? Wasn't there some kind of animals or stuff like, you know, horses or chicken with saddles or something? I guess horses are the better bet, but well, anyhow: Did Alexander as greatest man of his time also own one of those? And if so: Did he name it? Maybe there is even some specialist in Greek history / mythology out there, who has an idea what its name might have been. Man, it's 3 a.m. and I just can't figure that one out. I tried google, but no clue there. Any idea of a source for this information would be truely appreciated.

Anyway, this forum is great and I enjoy reading it very much. Hope no one is offended by my tricky question.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2003

Answers

why does everybody ask this question? اسلام فورم: كشمير کشمیر اور پاکستان پاكستان پاک پاك بھارت انڈیا انڈيا تعلقات

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2003

Flattery, my dear Gobo, will get you on in the world.

In Alexander's time the horse was common, as was the ox. Oxen were mainly used for heavy work like pulling crude plows or wagons. This is mainly because the harness needed for pulling was also crude and if you used it on a horse, it would crush the horse's windpipe. Incidentally, chickens were also known. They were a pretty new thing back then in Greece. They were known as 'Persian Birds'.

Horses were mostly for riding, and even more specifically for mounted cavalry. The main value of horses was military and they were owned by the more wealthy class of citizens. Saddles were used, but stirrups were not. This was fine for galloping around, but in war horsemen were confined to using light weapons, like short swords, light lances or even bows. As a horseman you didn't want to strike such heavy blows that it knocked you off your horse.

Long distances were covered mainly on foot or by ship.

As for your cleverly well-disguised question: What is the name of Alexander's horse? All I can say is, if you read this forum with such consuming interest as you say you did, and learned so much from it, surely you know the answer already.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2003