05405 ROMAN CHARIOT 1/48
This is the 05405 ROMAN CHARIOT 1/48
Read the full product description
Do you know who the highest-paid athlete of all time is? It's Gauius Appuleius Diocles -- a Roman chariot racer.
This is no ordinary chariot. This is a Roman racing chariot, and that means speed. Chariot racing was the most favoured sport in the Roman Empire, even over gladiatorial combat. It can be traced back as far as 1300 BCE.
It was not a safe sport by any mans. The life of a charioteer was short. Racers tried to force their opponents into the walls of the racetrack. Crashes were common, as were deaths. Charioteers tied their reins around their bodies rather than holding them, so any crash resulted in the driver being dragged behind his horses.
The most successful Roman charioteer was Gauius Appuleius Diocles. In his 24-year career, his winnings totaled 35,863,120 sesterces, or approximately 15 billion U.S. dollars. He is the highest-paid athlete of all time.
A much more detailed history of chariot racing is included in the directions.
Kit includes four differently posed horses, two charioteers, and an attractive base.
