496 THE DEVELOPMENT OF EQUITATION [CH. 



probable that the all-dualach were attached in some way to the 

 yoke, as was the case with the Homeric steerers. We may 

 therefore conclude that the curious wooden objects on the 

 Florentine yoke were really a primitive contrivance for keeping 

 the reins in place, and that the Irish implements are simply 

 more elaborate forms of the same type. 



The Scythed Chariot. The addition of scythes probably 

 prolonged the use of the chariot for war, as such " scythe-bear- 

 ing chariots" became a formidable arm when driven against 

 bodies of footmen. Thus, although owing to 'villainous salt- 

 petre' the medieval knight with lance in rest has long departed, 

 nevertheless lancer regiments still linger on in the armies of 

 modern Europe, partly as a survival, and partly because they 

 are found useful in certain conditions of modern warfare. 



Certainly, whenever we hear of the employment of war- 

 chariots at a late period they are usually described as 'scythe- 

 bearing.' The chariots used by the Persians at the battle of 

 Cunaxa were so equipped, and chariots still more elaborately 

 armed were employed in Syria at a much later date. Thus in 

 the great battle between Eumenes of Pergamus and Antiochus 

 of Syria, the latter placed in the front of his line four-horse 

 chariots, furnished both with scythes and spears. Spears fastened 

 round the pole projected like horns ten cubits in front of the yoke 

 to transfix everything that came in the way; two scythes were 

 attached to each end of the yoke, one fixed on a level with the 

 latter, the other sloping towards the ground, the former being 

 meant to cut away every obstacle from the side, the latter to 

 strike foes already prostrate, or endeavouring to escape by 

 passing under the more elevated blade, whilst from each axle 

 two other scythes extended set at different angles like those 

 attached to the yoke. 



But Eumenes managed to stampede the chariot-horses of 

 his adversary, which turned round and dashed into their own 

 ranks, and Antiochus suddenly found his army panic-stricken 

 and routed by the engines which he had devised for the 

 destruction of his foes 1 . 



Doubtless such occurrences as this were always liable to 

 1 Livy, xxxvu. 41. 



