Now few people know what a "charioteer" is. Strictly speaking, this is not surprising, because the chariots themselves are practically gone. However, things were very different in the old days. Then the charioteer was an indispensable part of both the peaceful and military life of many states.
So, what is a "charioteer"? When did they first appear and what is the peculiarity of this ancient military profession?
Meaning of the word "charioteer"
Start with the fact that in the 3rd millennium BC, the Sumerians invented the first wheel. It was this discovery that allowed them to create the world's first wagon designed to transport goods and people. With the growing popularity of this invention, there was a need for specialists who can build and manage them. They were called charioteers.
Soon, military tacticians realized that the chariot could be used not only for peaceful purposes, but also on the battlefield. Therefore, soon after the discovery of the wheel, the Sumerians also had their first war carts. They were controlled by two charioteers: one followed the horses, and the second threw spears or darts at opponents.
The Power of Ancient Egypt
What is a "charioteer" and what is its role in battles, the Egyptians understood well. According to historical annals, it was their troops that contained the largest number of war carts. So 2.5 thousand years ago, the Battle of Kadesh took place, in which about 7 thousand chariots participated.
Despite the strength of such weapons, they were soon removed from the regular troops. The reason for this was the high cost of building wagons. It was much easier to use ordinary cavalry, not burdened with excess weight.
What is a "charioteer" in ancient Rome
Roman troops also tried to use these machines in their military campaigns. However, a great disappointment awaited them, forcing them to abandon this venture. Unlike the Sumerian and Egyptian lands, where battles took place on flat ground, the Romans fought mostly on mixed terrain. And this interfered with the maneuverability of the wagon and nullified all combat advantage.
However, despite this, chariots were often used within the walls of Rome itself. In addition to the main transport for movement, they were often used at games in the Colosseum. In this regard, the Roman charioteer could be either a simple driver or a seasoned gladiator.
