Donkey Donkey The donkey or ass ("Equus africanus asinus") is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, "E. africanus". The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Working donkeys are often associated with those living at or below subsistence levels. Small numbers of donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries. A male donkey or ass
Equus publicus a property value of more than 100,000 denarii or else inheritance, but the equus publicus was only attainable by way of inheritance from a father. In imperial times, after the reforms of Augustus, the status could be granted by an emperor, along with inheritance from a father. Equus publicus 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. The money for the horse was called "aes equestre", whilst the annual money