The ferocious boar that anchors this chariot fixture was an appropriate symbol for the strength and drive required to pilot one of Rome’s most dangerous forms of conveyance. This bronze chariot fixture held the ropes and straps necessary to drive the horses either on the street or in a race. The fine quality of this piece tells us that it may not have been attached to a chariot that raced competitively because Rome’s chariot races were known to be fiercely competitive and could often lead to the destruction of the chariots themselves as well as their drivers.
The highly detailed boar’s head shows its stiff hairs and sharp tusks, as it seems to leap forward in anticipation of the chariot’s pull
