118 THE HORSES OF PREHISTORIC [cH. 



that of Tacitus at a far earlier period, indicates clearly that 

 the peoples of eastern Germany learned to ride the horse, if 

 they did not also obtain him, from the nomad tribes of ancient 

 Russia. 



There are no early remains of the horse in Scandinavia, 

 and he only appears in Denmark in the Bronze age, and then 

 he is of small size. The northern mythology indeed indicates 

 that it was only at a late epoch that the horse was either 

 driven or ridden, since Thor, the oldest and greatest of the 

 Northern divinities, is never represented as driving in a chariot 

 or riding on horseback, but always as going on foot. On the 

 other hand, the later members of the Pantheon, such as Odin 

 (Fig. 100), are represented as riding on horseback, and to their 

 horses we shall presently refer. 



Though in the time of Tacitus' the Swedes (Suiones) are 

 renowned for ships and sea-craft, we hear nothing of horses 

 or horsemen, yet if like the Tencteri they had been noted for 

 the possession and employment of such animals the historian 

 would probably have made some reference to it. But in the 

 sixth century the Swedes had become famous for the excellence 

 of their steeds, since they are likened in this respect by 

 Jornandes'*' {circ. A.D. 550) to the Thuringians. As the Swedes 

 at that time supplied the Roman markets with costly furs, which 

 passed south along the ancient trade-routes through the tribes 

 of Germany, they had not only the opportunity, but also ample 

 means of purchasing horses from upper Europe and the south. 

 And he adds that they were noted for the sable furs which 

 they wore and also exported. Adhils, the Swedish king, was 

 a great lover and breeder of horses^ In the great battle 

 between the gods, the Vanir (Freyr and lerdth) rode through 

 the Eisir (Thor and Odin), but, as Freyr is a Swedish god, 

 and as already mentioned, Thor always journeys and fights 



^ Germania, 44. 



'^ Historia de origine Gothorum, c. 3 (p. 82, ed. 1611): "alia vero gens ibi 

 moratur Suethans, quae velut Thuringi, equis utuntur eximiis ; hi quoque sunt 

 qui in usus Romanorum Saphirinas pelles, commercio interveniente, per alias 

 innumeras gentes transmittunt. famosi pellium decora nigrediue hi, quum 

 inopes vivunt, ditissime vestiuntur." 



•* Ynglinga Saga, ch. 33. He had the best horses of his time and owned 

 Hrafn, once Ali's, from which sprang another Hrafn given to king Gothgestr. 



