Towards an Economic History of the Horse in the Mediterranean Area during the Middle Ages: What Perspectives?

Abstract

Studying the economic and non-economic exchanges of the horse in the Mediterranean area during the Middle Ages is a recent phenomenon in history. Indeed, while the trade and circulation of many products in the Mediterranean region, notably sugar, for example, have received substantial attention, equids have remained of surprisingly marginal interest. However, many indicators reveal their historical trading patterns as well as other reasons for the exchange of equids throughout the Mediterranean region. Economic, political, military, and diplomatic histories merge to provide precious information which helps to explain the commercialization of this emblematic animal of the Middle Ages. The aim of this paper is to establish an inventory of historical studies about the exchange of horses in the Mediterranean area, and to contextualise the horse as a real object of historical interest within the topics of exchange and movement of commodities.