Horses in ancient Greece have always been particularly significant and they played an almost mythological role in history. The ancient Greeks considered them the noblest of creatures and they became a permanent feature of almost every aspect of daily life.
They were accorded the highest value, however, by those in the upper classes who could afford them because they were expensive, given their significance to the gods. Furthermore, they were used for hunting, racing, and traveling.
The relationship between man and beast in antiquity was very strong and its roots were deep. The two were tied together intrinsically both by nature and the gods.
They were thought to have been created by Poseidon, the god of the sea. Thus in ancient Greek lore, the status of these noble creatures was raised to the almost divine level, mostly for their heroic courage at war.
Yet even the lowest carthorse played creating the society that was the foundation of Western science, logic and philosophy. They were depicted on vases and sculptures throughout the centuries.
Bucephalus, the horse of Alexander the Great is one of the most famous in ancient Greece. History describes him as being an imposing creature with a wonderful head, a thick black coat, and an eye-catching white star on the brow beneath the reins.
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