182 ANNALS OF THE ROAD. 



its earliest stages, it having been the subject of much 

 learned controversy. It appears that the first chariot intro- 

 duced into the Olympic Hippodrome was drawn by four 

 horses, which in those times made a complete set. The 

 horses were ranged abreast, and the two middle ones 

 only harnessed by the yoke. The two out-side horses were 

 fastened to some other part of the chariot by their traces, 

 but in what manner does not appear. They had a 

 peculiar name for these 'out-riggers,' as we should call 

 them. The most curious part of their driving establish- 

 ment was, that they had chariot races for colts, as well 

 as for full-aged horses, regulating the course accordingly. 

 Though they do not appear to have known anything of 

 the 'weight for age,' yet the distance supposed to be run 

 by full-aged horses was about six Grecian miles, and by 

 colts, four ; which, as the Grecian mile is said to be 

 about a fifth less than ours, seems reasonable. 



The chariot drawn by four colts, was introduced in 

 the 95th olympiad, and that with two in the 129th. We 

 read of a Macedonian lady, who was the first to win 

 with the three-year-olds, as we may conclude they were. 

 We can, however, find nothing by which we can judge 

 of their exact ages; but the Tekeiov apfxa certainly denotes 

 the chariot drawn by full-aged horses, and the ttojXlkqp 

 ap/jia that drawn by colts. The Stadium, or place where 

 these races were run, must have somewhat resembled 

 Derby race-course — one with two good sides to it, but 

 sharp turns at each end, as is the case with the one I 

 mention. A pillar was erected about the middle of the 

 turn, which was to be passed as near as possible, without 



