Quadrigas.....

One of the two statues of the Goddess Victoria riding in a Quadriga, which sit atop the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument. The quadriga was a chariot which was used for racing in ancient times, the horses were harnessed four abreast across the front of the chariot. There were also smaller horse and chariot combinations, the triga, and the biga which were drawn by three and two horses respectively.
On rare occasions there would be chariots drawn by eight or ten horses, these races were usually held at Circus Maximus here in Rome, which was a purpose built arena for the racing of chariots.

Larger image.........

j.