in antiquity, a kind of exercise on horseback, or a feigned combat, for the exercise of the cavalry.

It was thus called from its inventor Pyrrhichus, or Pyrrhus of Cydonia, who first taught the Cretans to march in measure and cadence to battle, and to ob- serve the pace of the Pyrrhic foot.—Others derive the name from Pyrrhus the son of Achilles, who instituted this exercise at the obsequies of his father—Aristotle says, that it was Achilles himself who invented it.

The Romans also called it *Iudus Trojanus*, "the Trojan game;" and Aulus Gellius, *decursus*.—It is doubtful this exercise that we see represented on medals by two cavaliers in front running with lancets, and the word *decursus* in the exergum.