Everyone knows that the history of sports dates back to antiquity. Of course, sports competitions had colossal differences from the current ones, and the games themselves were different. Certainly, some sports still exist, but they have been refined and improved. But there are those who are forever in the past.
Ancient Greece is believed to be the mother of the sport. It was in this country that the famous Olympic Games began, which are still the main competition of world athletes. It was here that very interesting and exciting chariot races were created.
This type of competition is one of the most popular not only in Greece, but also among other nations, for example, the Romans. These were the most important and important competitions among all the others, especially equestrian ones. It was the chariot race that everyone was looking forward to at the Olympus Games. True, there were other, more popular competitions related to athletics.
What were these chariot races and what were the rules? These competitions were attended by chariots drawn by two horses, sometimes four. Not only adult horses could compete in them, but also small stallions, only for them there were separate competitions. There were also such races where not horses participated, but mules, and carts were used instead of a chariot. As everyone understands, there was a budget option for the common people.
Competitions were held in several races. In Greece, one race, or race, consisted of twelve laps, that's about nine miles. And in Rome, the number of laps was reduced to seven to be able to conduct more races. Naturally, slaves drove the teams, but the owner of the chariot received the prize. This happened in ancient Greece, and in ancient Rome everything was fair, the winner was the one who drove the horses.
In general, Ancient Rome in this regard, in this sport, was more successful. Soon it was there that all sorts of mechanical devices began to be used, for example, mechanisms for counting circles, or starting gates. This was all created so that the rider did not count the circles himself, but focused precisely on the victory, so this clearly facilitated the race itself.
It must be said that not everyone could participate in competitions of this type, but only very wealthy people. In those days, in ancient Greece and in ancient Rome, having a chariot with horses was an expensive pleasure. Moreover, horses must be strong, healthy and thoroughbred. But it's not even about the horses, but about the cart itself. The participants did not just buy or make an ordinary chariot, but they always decorated it, painted it in gold colors. It is worth noting that the main task was not who would get there faster, but who had a more beautiful and richer chariot.
