526 THE HISTORY OF THE HORSE 



consequently learn that Rome relied more upon mercenary cavalry than 

 upon her own, and in the time of Caesar this force consisted of auxiliary 

 corps composed of Numidians, Thracians, Spaniards, and Germans com- 

 manded by Roman officers (Praefecti equitum). " The Roman cavalry 

 had disappeared before Mai'ius; its last mention is in the Spanish campaign 

 of 140 B.C., and after the Jugurthan war it vanished entirely. Even the 

 Italian cavalry had been for long unable to cojje with the enemies of 

 Rome ; it had been defeated by Hannibal in Italy, and Scipio only won Zama 

 by the cavalry of Massinissa. It vanished completely in the social war, and 

 after that foreign troops — Gauls, Spaniards, Thracians, and Africans — were 

 taken into the service in larger numbers than befoi'e." It will be un- 

 necessary to refer further to the native-bred equine trooper of Rome. 



Yet although the native Roman horse was not a conspicuous charger, 

 he was a beast of burden, and in this capacity became most useful to the 

 postal service which was instituted for the purpo.se of transmitting letters, 

 parcels, and baggage of every kind throughout the vast Roman empire. 

 This important state department required for the execution of its duties 

 several kinds of animals, namely horses, mules, asses, and oxen, which were 

 ridden or employed in drawing vehicles laden with light or heavy goods 

 iind in the delivering of letters, parcels, &c., at their respective destinations. 

 This service was divided into two branches, the one for light and the other 

 for heavy traffic. Yet had it not been for the existence of the splendid 

 roads throughout the Roman territories, which connected the remotest parts 

 of the empire with Rome, the postal service never could have become so 

 important an institution. 



At this time a vast road traffic necessitated the employment of thousands 

 of horses, the demand for which must have been great and have operated as 

 an incentive to the production of the general utility horse. This type of 

 horse was in most instances the descendant of native stock, and was the 

 class of animal adapted for heavy vehicular traffic; but he could not per- 

 form with success in the arena, neither was he good enough for a charger. 

 At circus exhibitions horses obtained from foreign sources, especially from 

 Asia, always proved themselves to be facile princlpes. 



The Circus Publicus caused the employment of thousands of horses, and 

 consequently created a demand which was responded to by the importation 

 and extensive propagation of horses; but a greater incentive even than this 

 far-reaching road traffic existed in the amphitheatre, which represented the 

 race-course, where chariot and horse racing formed the leading sport of 

 patrician Rome. 



The games which took place in the circus were, so it is said, instituted 

 by Romulus. They consisted in wrestling, running, fightiug, horse-racing, 



