Chariot racing

Chariot racing was one of the most popular ancient Greek and Roman sports.

Early chariot racing

It is unknown exactly where chariot racing began, but it may have been as old as chariots themselves. It is known from artistic evidence on pottery that the sport existed in the Mycenaean world, but the first literary reference to a chariot race is the one described by Homer in Book 23 of the Iliad, at the funeral games of Patroclus. The participants in this race were Diomedes, Eumelus, Antilochus, Menelaus, and Meriones. The race, which was one lap around the stump of a tree, was won by Diomedes, who received a slave woman and a cauldron as his prize. A chariot race was also said to be the event that founded the Olympic Games; according to one legend, King Oenomaus challenged his daughter Hippodamia's suitors to a race, but was defeated by Pelops, who founded the Games in honour of his victory.

Related Topics:
Racing - Chariot - Pottery - Mycenae - Literary - Homer - Iliad - Patroclus - Diomedes - Eumelus - Antilochus - Menelaus - Meriones - Slave - Cauldron - Olympic Games - Oenomaus - Hippodamia - Pelops

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