made at that very remote era, and the skill of their workmen. And that this last was of wood, and not, as some have imagined, of bronze or other metal, we have a decided proof, from the representations of workmen, cutting and fashioning it with an

The body of the car was exceedingly light, consisting of a wooden framework, strengthened and ornamented with metal and leather binding, like many of those mentioned by Homert: the bottom part, on which the charioteer stood, was flat, whether of an entire piece, or of the thongs already alluded to, the whole resting on the axle-tree and lower extremity of the pole, which was itself inserted into the axle. Its centre was not placed directly over the axle, in order to be on an equilibrium, but much more forward, the back part seldom extending behind the middle of the wheel, so that the body pressed considerably upon the pole, to

* Wood-cut, No. 52. fig. 3.

+ Homer, Il. κ, 438. Resus' car was bound with gold and silver that of Diomed with gold and tin.

which also the upper rim of its front was connected by means of thongs or straps. The weight was therefore divided between the wheels and the horses; but as a chariot was easily carried by one man*, we may conclude that even with the addition of two persons it was not such as to fatigue the horses, and this mode of placing it had the advantage of rendering the motion far more easy to the driver. When the horses were taken out, the pole, unless propped up in some manner, fell to the ground; they therefore rested it on a support, which was sometimes a wooden figure of a man, intended to represent a captive, or enemy, who was considered fitted for this degrading office.

The greater portion of the sides, and the whole of the back, were open; the latter indeed entirely so, without any rim or framework above; and the hinder part of the lateral framework commenced nearly in a line with the centre of the wheel, and rising perpendicularly, or slightly inclined backwards, from the base of the car, extended with a curve, at the height of about two feet and a half, to the front, serving as well for a safeguard to the driver, as a support for his quivers and bow-case. To strengthen it, three thongs of leather were attached at either side, and an upright of wood connected it with the base of the front part immediately above the pole, where the straps before mentioned were fastened; as may be seen in those I have already given from the an

*In the sculptures. Another supports the pole and traces. + The body of the Greek car was also placed very forward, less so than that of Egypt; but it must have been much heavier.

cient paintings and sculptures of Thebes, and in the accompanying view of the simple body of a car, represented according to our European mode of

2

1

4

Chariots, in perspective.

3

No. 53.

figs. 1. 2.
figs. 3. 4.

Saddles and part of the yoke. From different Sculptures.

drawing. It is, however, reasonable to suppose that they sometimes varied slightly in form, and that the car of war was of a different construction in some respects from the plaustrum*, or from the curricle

*The Roman plaustrum had two, sometimes four, wheels. The waggons, or rather carts, sent by Pharaoh for Jacob, are called, in

(No. 53. a.) A war chariot, with bow-cases and complete furniture.

Thebes.

(No. 53. b.)

Thebes.

of towns; and we not only find the two last destitute of all the cases for weapons except that of the bow, and sometimes of that also, but the solid portion of their sides was generally lower than in the former, where greater protection was required for those within; and on this account the Greek cars were entirely closed, except at the back.*

The bow-case, frequently richly ornamented, with the figure of a lion or other devices, was placed in an inclined position, pointing forwards; its upper edge, immediately below the flexible leather cover, being generally on a level with the summit of the framework of the chariot; so that when the bow was drawn out, the leather cover fell downwards, and left the upper part on an uninterrupted level. In battle this was of course a matter of no importance; but in the city, where the bowcase was considered an elegant part of the ornamental hangings of a car, and continued to be attached to itt, they paid some attention to the position and fall of the pendent cover, deprived as it there was of its bow, since, as I have elsewhere observed, the civilised state of Egyptian society required the absence of all arms, except on service.

une) רכב or מרכבה wheeled carriages ; the chariot was ,עגלות

Hebrew,

monture). I use plaustrum for a two-wheeled chariot drawn by oxen. *In pl. iii. of Hope's Costumes is a car less closed than usual.

The following passage of Homer shows that the bow was suspended to the car, and exemplifies what I have before remarked (p. 72.), the severity of filial duties in those times.

66

“ Αυταρ όγ' υἱας αμαξαν εύτροχον ἡμιονείην,
Οπλίσαι ηνώγει, πείρινθα δε δήσαι επ' αυτης.”

Il. w, 189.; vide also lines 253. 267.