I. CHARIOTS of WAR. The Scripture speaks of two sorts, one was for Princes and Generals to ride in, the other to break the Enemies Batalions, by letting loose these Chariots against them, armed with Iron, which made terrible havock in the Troops. The most antient Chariots of War whereof we have any knowledge, are Pharaoh’s, which were drowned in the Red Sea. The Canaanites, whom Joshua engaged with at the waters of Merom, had Cavalry, and a multitude of Chariots. Equi & currus immensæ multitudinis. Sisera, Jabin the King of Hazor’s General, had nine hundred Chariots of Iron in his Army. The Tribe of Judah could not get Possession of the lands belonging to their partition, because the antient Inhabitants of the Country were strong in Chariots of Iron. The Philistines in the War carried on by them against Saul, had thirty thousand Chariots, and six thousand Horsemen. David having taken a thousand Chariots of War from Hadadezer King of Syria hamstrung the Horses, and burnt nine hundred Chariots, reserving only an hundred to 1 Chr. xxiii. 4. & 2 Sam. viii. 4. 1 Kings x. 26.himself.
It does not appear that the Kings of the Hebrews ever made use of Chariots in War. Solomon had a considerable number of them; but we know of no military expedition wherein they were employed by him. He had, says the Scripture, fourteen hundred Chariots, and twelve thousand Horses. As Judæa was a very mountainous Country, Chariots could be of no use but in the Plains, and the Hebrews often made them needless, by combating upon their Mountains; and from hence in all probability it came, that they never were very curious of having any in their Armies.
2 Macc. xiii. 2.In the Books of the Maccabees there is mention made of Chariots armed with Scythes, which the King of Syria led against Judea. The Descriptions which the Antients give us of these Chariots, is much after the following manner1. The Beam to which the Horses were fastened, was armed with Pikes having iron points to them, which projected forward; the Yokes of the Horses had likewise two long points of three Cubits. To the Axle-tree also were fixed iron Spits, armed at their extremities with Scythes; between the Spokes of the Wheels were placed Javelins, and the very fellows of the wheels were furnished with Scythes, which tore every thing they met with to pieces.
The Axle-tree was longer than usual, and the Wheels stronger, that they might be able to resist the shock of the motion, and the Chariot be less subject to overturn. The Driver’s seat was a kind of little Tower made of very solid Wood, and raised breast high. The Charioteer was armed all over, and covered with Iron. Sometimes several Men well armed were put in the Chariots, who fought with Darts and Arrows. Any one may judge what dreadful Shocks were caused by these Machines, when once they were in motion, and met the Enemies Troops2.
The Kings of Israel, when they went to War, were generally mounted on their Chariots; they fought thus, and issued out their orders; and there was always a second Chariot empty which followed them, that if the first were broke, they might immediately 2 Chron. xxxv. 24. 2 Kings xxiii. 31.get up into the other.
Chariots 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 honour of the Sun. Herodotus, Xenophon, and Quintus Curtius3 speak of white Chariots, crowned, which were consecrated to the Sun, and among the Persians in their Ceremonies, were drawn with white Horses consecrated to the same Luminary.
The Rhodians threw a Chariot every year into the Sea, in honour of the Sun; because they believed, that every day he travelled round the Earth riding in a Chariot. Festus in Octobri.
Read this article in its place on the printed pages