| Type | Domesticated animal |
| Species | Equus africanus asinus |
| Place of origin | |
| Spiritual significance | Venerated symbol in many cultures • Profound and far-reaching impact on human history |
| Period of domestication | Millennia earlier than in our reality |
| Role in human societies | Crucial to the rise of agriculture • Primary mode of land transport for millennia • Evolution into larger and more versatile animals |
Donkeys, or Equus Africanus Asinus, belong to the taxonomic family Equidae, including species such as horses and zebras. Donkeys are believed to have descended from the wild African wild ass. In this alternate timeline, donkeys are very different in size, strength, and importance to human history. Unlike in our reality, they are the most crucial animals to human beings.
Thousands of years before horses became relevant to human civilization, donkeys had been tamed and bred for various tasks. As a result of being domesticated much earlier, donkeys have had an unparalleled influence on the way human history unfolded. They played a central role in transforming early human societies by enabling the transport of goods across vast distances and facilitating the exchange of resources, ideas, and services.
By 4000 BCE, societies across Asia and Africa (particularly the Ancient Egyptian civilization) widely used donkeys for transportation of goods, as well as agricultural work. They were also prized military animals in Greece, Sumer, and India.
Donkeys were instrumental in the cultivation of many crops, including wheat, barley, and tobacco. Their ability to carry loads as heavy as 50% of their body mass, combined with their resilient nature and endurance, helped them lead the way in the development of agriculture and economies.
Donkeys also enabled major trade networks, including the fabled Silk Road stretching from China to Europe and the Spice Routes of the Middle East and Africa. They carried precious commodities such as gold, spices, textiles, and ores. Notably, the trade between the Roman Empire and India was made possible entirely through donkey transportation.
In this alternate timeline, donkeys evolved to be larger and stronger than their real-life counterparts. They possess great physical strength, can carry loads up to 150 kg, and can navigate difficult terrains, including swamps, mountains, and deserts.
Donkeys have a life expectancy of around 40 years, with some individuals even reaching 50. They typically weigh around 350 to 450 kg and stand at 1.5 meters at shoulder height. The largest breeds, such as the Mammoth Jackstock, can even reach 750 kg in weight and 1.6 meters in height.
Unlike horses, donkeys have great resilience and excellent navigational skills. They rarely panic, and they exhibit exceptional problem-solving abilities. They are also known for their vocal range and the loud noises they make, which have made them an invaluable warning system for early human societies.
The special relationship between donkeys and humans has led to many cultures revering and worshiping them. In Babylon, donkeys were depicted as divine creatures with wings, symbolizing their power and intelligence. Buddhism regards donkeys as a symbol of perseverance, while the donkey has a venerated place in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as the animal chosen by prophets who conveyed important messages to humanity.
In the Mayan Empire, donkeys were considered sacred animals, and their coats were used for religious garbs and ceremonial masks. Egypt used to deify donkeys, and they were represented on the tomb walls of many pharaohs. In Rome, the God Mars was depicted with a donkey, serving as a reminder of their critical role in the Roman military.
Across many societies, donkeys are represented in popular culture, folklore, and art. They are often seen as loyal, hardworking animals with a peaceful nature, often working together in unison. Their contributions to human progress in this alternate universe have shaped human history in unimaginable ways, leaving a deep and lasting impact on cultures and economies worldwide.
