alternatehistory.com

350 BC, on a farm some distance from Rome...

"Good evening, master," Casca said, bowing low.
"Good evening, Casca," Publius replied. "What news brings you to me?"
"Something rather interesting, honoured lord," the overseer said. "Come and look at this, if you will, sir."
They went outside, and the first thing Publius saw was the horse. Publius stared at the harness, which took his immediate interest. He turned to Casca, and raised an enquiring eyebrow.
"One of my men came up with the idea, my lord," Casca said. "He's a very intelligent fellow." Casca walked over to the horse, reaching up to stroke its neck. The horse whinneyed softly and shook its head.
"You will be familiar with the usual type of harness we employ, my lord," he said. "It has the strap that goes across the horse's throat, which cuts off air for the beast whenever it exerts any effort. You will see," he said, running his hand down over the harness, "how this new piece of equipment sits lower, so that when the animal exerts itself, the main force comes onto the bones of its chest."
"It is extremely interesting, Casca, as you say. How much more work can the horse do when the new harness is used?"
"Two horses, using a throat-harness, can pull half a ton," Casca said. "This horse, on its own, pulled a cart with one and half tons of grain."
Publius whistled long and low at this news. "Are you sure, Casca? It seems unbelievable that such a simple innovation could increase the animal's efficiency so much."
"I witnessed a demonstration of the animal's power a short while ago, my lord," Casca said. "Indeed, I did not believe it myself until I saw it."
"Six times more efficient..." Publius said wonderingly. "Amazing. This will make an enormous difference on the latifundia."
"We can sell our grain in Rome, my lord," Casca said. "There is always a ready market there..."
"Indeed, the urbes sordida cries out for bread constantly," Publius said. "This new harness will make us rich, Casca..."

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So there you are; the new harness is invented in the Roman Empire, about 800 years earlier than it appeared OTTL. How does this small tweak of technology influence subsequent history?
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