THE HORSE HISTORY. 457 



a recognized factor as a means of defense and offense, horse- 

 breeding in Thessaly became a matter of profit. 



Instead of using the horse for breaking the ground and 

 preparing for crops, the Egyptian colonist's first business was to 

 rid the forests of wild cattle and other dangerous beasts. In 

 this way the horse became most useful as a hunter. 



Horse-races Instituted. As the next step in his im- 

 provement, horse-races were instituted. These races gratified 

 the pride of owners, and gave zest to public spectacles. Soon 

 followed those most celebrated at Olympia in the Peloponnesus, 

 in honor of Jupiter. The feats of horsemanship, accompanied 

 by manly exercises, drew multitudes from all parts of Greece. 

 This, with similar games in other districts, stimulated horseman- 

 ship and athletic exercises, which were so liberally rewarded and 

 honored by the government as to strengthen love of country, 

 for which the Greeks became distinguished. In the course of 

 one century the wrestlers and runners and boxers gave way to the 

 horsemen and steeds, who alone appeared at this national contest. 

 Each horse was ridden by his owner. The space to be run over 

 was four miles, which was designed not only to test the powers 

 of endurance and speed and training of the horses, but also the 

 horsemanship of his owner. In the twenty-fifth Olympiad the 

 horse first appeared in chariot-races. 



Endurance and Docility Sought. The endurance and 

 docility of .the horses and skill of the driver were severely 

 tested, as the course was one-third of a mile, at the end of which 

 was a pillar, around which the horses were sent at full speed 

 and back over the course six times. It was a severe test of skill 

 of driver and of docility of the horses. Near it was the enor- 

 mous and horrid statue, called Taraxippus, the terrifierof horses. 

 A little further on, in the center of the course, was a defile, be- 

 tween rocks, on which a group of men with blaring trumpets 

 tested the courage of the steeds. The unfortunate and wrecked 

 teams and drivers, of which there were many, were jeered by the 

 crowds of spectators. The crown of the victor was hardly 

 enrned in such a fearful contest. But these national games, in 

 the course of one century, became grand tournaments of horse- 



