The ownership of horses was an expression of the prevailing social and economic structure in the transition from the Geometric to the Archaic period. This can be found primarily in the landowning class of 'nobles'. Since Solon (640-560 BC), the hippeis (horsemen) were among the second highest census class in Athens, largely belonging to the aristocratic upper class. Thus the ownership of horses went hand in hand with a high social prestige.
Former Erhart Kästner Collection, Wolfenbüttel
de
