Imagine Bucephalus dressed up in his finest attire

Among the many colonies founded by Miletus on the western shore of the Black Sea is Apollonia Pontica (modern Sozopol in Bulgaria) in ca. 610 BC (see: The many colonies of Miletus). Its original name was Antheia, which soon became one of the largest naval bases and richest trade centers in the area.

By the 5^th century BC, the Odrysian Kingdom was founded that lasted for six centuries. This kingdom was nothing more than a union of more than forty tribes which turned Thracia into a powerful state to be reckoned with. Both Philip and Alexander repeatedly invaded Thracia, but the city of Apollonia Pontica managed to keep its independence.

This does not alter the fact that Hellenism left its marks in the area, and recent archaeological finds immediately to the south of Apollonia Pontica in particular revealed precious goods that once belonged to the Thracian aristocracy.

In a nearby tomb, archaeologists found forty decorative gold appliqués for a horse harness. Of course, the tomb is Thracian but the Hellenistic influence is obvious. Based on a clay lamp that was buried together with these precious items, the elements could be dated between 333 and 250 BC.

The date and the finding place make a connection with Alexander very plausible and I can’t help imagining his Bucephalus wearing very similar trimmings.

The reconstruction of the horse’s headdress speaks for itself. The casted centerpiece is an eagle’s head that weighed some 23 grams. Since the eagle stands for power, this find may indicate that the owner was a member of one of the leading dynasties. Most of the gold pieces were round, and scholars were able to establish that they were meant to decorate the bridle.  The smaller gold appliqués may have been fixed onto narrow strips sewn over the main strip, or the elements may have served to decorate the bridle during certain religious parades only. Two elaborated, elongated pieces were probably part of the bit.

The Thracians were famous for their horses and it does not come as a surprise to find such fine and artistic trimming for these noble animals. 

I am amazed, however, to hear that horsemen in Thracia already used spurs. If so, it is strange that Alexander and his Macedonians did not fancy them. It seems very improbable that he would not have known this - if, once again, the theory about the spurs is correct.

[Pictures from Horse Talk, New-Zealand, by G. Balabanov, Primorsko Municipality, and Petar Balabanov, respectively]