The black horses which are there go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the dappled go forth toward the south country.
Read Chapter 6
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
North. So Babylon is called, because it lay to the north in respect of Jerusalem. The black horses, that is, the Medes and Persians, and after them Alexander and his Greeks, signified by the white horses, went thither because they conquered Babylon, executed upon it the judgments of God, which is signified ver. 8 by the expression of quieting his spirit. (Challoner)
The Persians are black, afflicting the Jews under Assuerus, and hindering the temple. (Menochius)
Cambyses meditated their utter ruin, chap. ii. 20. (Haydock)
White. Alexander was of a beneficent temper when he was not intoxicated. He fought for glory, and was kind to the Jews. (Calmet)
South: Egypt, which lay to the south of Jerusalem, and was occupied first by Ptolemeus, and then by the Romans. (Challoner)
The Lagides were some good and some very bad princes, represented by the grisly colour. (Calmet)
The land of the north: So Babylon is called; because it lay to the north in respect of Jerusalem. The black horses, that is, the Medes and Persians: and after them Alexander and his Greeks, signified by the white horses, went thither because they conquered Babylon, executed upon it the judgments of God, which is signified, ver. 8, by the expression of quieting his spirit.-- Ibid.