The equus publicus (literally "horse bought by the commonwealth") was an honourable status in ancient Rome, granting its holder a military horse paid for by the state, along with the cost of its fodder for its whole life.Livy I.43 The money for the horse was called aes equestre, whilst the annual money for the horse's provisions for a year was called aes hordearium.The Commentaries of Gaius on the Roman Law IV.27
