CHARIOTS, in the Heathen Mythology, were sometimes consecrated to the sun; and the Scripture observes that Josiah burnt those which had been offered to the sun by the kings, his predecessors. This superstitious custom was an imitation of the heathens, and principally of the Persians, who had horses and chariots consecrated in ho-
nour of the sun. Herodotus, Xenophon, and Quintus Curtius, speak of white chariots crowned, which were consecrated to the sun, among the Persians and in their ceremonies were drawn by white horses consecrated to the same luminary.
Triumphal Chariot, was one of the principal ornaments of the Roman celebration of a victory.
The Roman triumphal chariot was generally made of ivory, and round like a tower, or rather of a cylindrical figure. It was sometimes gilded at the top, and ornamented with crowns; and, to represent a victory more naturally, it was usual to stain it with blood. It was commonly drawn by four white horses; but oftentimes by lions, elephants, tigers, bears, leopards, and dogs.