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A chariot is a type of cart driven by a charioteer, usually using horses [note 1] to provide rapid motive power.
Mar 6, 2013 · Learn how the chariot, a light vehicle drawn by horses, became the supreme military weapon in Eurasia from 1700 BCE to 500 BCE. Discover how the chariot was invented in the Eurasian steppe, how it spread to civilized lands, and how it influenced warfare, hunting and culture.
Learn the origin, usage, and examples of the word chariot, a two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle of ancient times. Find synonyms, antonyms, translations, and related words for chariot.
Learn about the history and evolution of chariots, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern taxicabs. Find out how chariots were used in warfare, racing, and hunting, and how they influenced ancient civilizations.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Eurasian Steppe Chariots. The chariot appears to have been developed by the Andronovo or Sintashta cultures on the Eurasian steppe sometime before 2,000 BCE.
- Hittite Chariots. In the Ancient Near East, the oldest mention of the chariot as a weapon of war is found with the Hittites; one of many Indo-European groups.
- Indian Chariots. Although there is evidence of chariot-like carts in Late Harrapan India (c.2,000 BCE), it is generally believed that chariots were brought to the subcontinent by the Indo-Europeans.
- Mesopotamian Chariots. The earliest evidence for wheeled vehicles being used for war in Mesopotamia is found on the so-called Standard of Ur, which dates to 2,500 BCE.
Learn about the ancient sport of chariot racing, which was a popular form of contest between small, two-wheeled vehicles drawn by horses. Find out how chariot racing was organized, regulated, and influenced by politics and religion in the Roman Empire.
Aug 11, 2020 · Explore 25 images of chariots and charioteers in art and reconstructions from various ancient civilizations. Learn about the history, function, and decoration of these vehicles of war and sport.
