06-17-2009, 07:46 PM
Just thought of another one today, though perhaps not particularly earth-shattering.
I have periodically heard the theory that the design of equestrian statues (not exclusively ancient, of course -- I was prompted by the statues of Albert and Victoria in Glasgow's George Square) gives a clue regarding the demise of the rider. Supposedly, there is a code connected to the position of the horse's hooves: two raised hooves (i.e. horse rampant) means that the rider died in battle, one raised hoof means that the rider died of wounds sustained in battle, and no raised hooves means that the rider died of natural causes. This is such a trivial example -- and demonstrably false, from the evidence of your own avatar, Jona -- that it may not be worth discussing (... though I wonder where it came from).
I have periodically heard the theory that the design of equestrian statues (not exclusively ancient, of course -- I was prompted by the statues of Albert and Victoria in Glasgow's George Square) gives a clue regarding the demise of the rider. Supposedly, there is a code connected to the position of the horse's hooves: two raised hooves (i.e. horse rampant) means that the rider died in battle, one raised hoof means that the rider died of wounds sustained in battle, and no raised hooves means that the rider died of natural causes. This is such a trivial example -- and demonstrably false, from the evidence of your own avatar, Jona -- that it may not be worth discussing (... though I wonder where it came from).
