Even though we have examples shown on frescoes and pottery vessels 
depicting chariots, it is difficult to say for sure how a Mycenaean 
chariot was constructed.

These examples however, only give us mostly a side view, which 
presents a problem. What we really need to find, is an example which 
shows all angles, for us to get a better understanding of the 
Mycenaean chariot's construction.

It is hard to visualize these chariots as they actually appeared in 
Mycenaean times, 1400-1200 BC. But they were certainly built for 
battle worthiness when needed.

Bronze Age war chariot

It is to be noted that the Mycenaean military, as that of other 
ancient civilizations, such as those of Egypt in the Bronze Age, 
the Hittite Empire, the Iron Age of Athens and Sparta, and later 
still, of the Roman Empire, most certainly would have gone to great 
lengths in manufacturing all parts of the chariots to be battle 
worthy, strong and resistant to wear, and of the highest standards 
within the limits of technology available to them in Mycenaean times.

The chariot, most likely invented in the Near East, became one of the 
most innovative items of weaponry in Bronze Age warfare. It seems 
that the Achaeans adopted the chariot for use in warfare in the late 
16th century BC, as attested to on some gravestones as well as seals 
and rings.

Gold signet ring from shaft grave IV in Mycenae dated LH II (about 1500 BC). Source: Salimbeti’s The Greek Age of Bronze Chariots

It is thought that the chariot did not come to the mainland via 
Crete, but the other way around, and it was not until the mid 15th 
century BC that the chariot appears on the island of Crete, as 
attested to by seal engravings and the Linear B Tablets.

The Achaean chariots can be divided into five main designs which can 
be identified as, “box chariot”, “quadrant chariot”, “rail chariot” 
and “four wheeled chariot.” 

None completely survived, but some metallic parts and horse bits 
have been found in some graves and settlements, also chariot bodies, 
wheels and horses are inventoried in several Linear B tablets.

Mycenaean rail chariot

The “rail chariot” was a light vehicle which featured an open cab 
and was more likely used as a means of transport than as a mobile 
fighting vehicle.  

The “four wheeled chariot,” used since the 16th century BC, 
was utilized throughout the late Helladic time. Both the “rail 
chariot” and the “four-wheeled chariot” continued to be used after 
the end of the Bronze Age.

Attic Black-Figure Amphora depicting Bronze Age chariot

Based on some hunting scenes and armed charioteer representations on 
pottery vessels and Linear B tablets, there is no question that the 
chariots were used in warfare as a platform for throwing javelins (or 
thrusting long spears), as a means of conveyance to and from battle 
and, on fewer occasions, as a platform for a bow-armed warrior. 

These warriors could have fought as cavalry or a force of mounted 
infantry, particularly suited to responding to the kind of raids that 
seem to have been occurring in the later period.

Some thoughts on the construction of the Mycenaean chariot:

As we cannot be absolutely sure how the Mycenaean chariot was
constructed, we have to use pictorial examples, leaving us little 
choice, other than that of resorting to a close examination of the 
pottery vessels and frescoes depicting them, and whatever other 
sources are available.
 
So I have chosen the beautiful “Tiryns Fresco” 1200 BC as an example 
of the construction and design of the Mycenaean chariot, although 
some points differ in other depictions on various other frescoes.

Lovely Tiryns Chariot Fresco. Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Mycenaean chariots were made to be drawn by two horses attached 
to a central pole. If two additional horses were added, they were 
attached on either side of the main team by a single bar fastened 
to the front of the chariot. 

The chariot itself consisted of a basket with a rail each side and a 
"foot board" for the driver to stand on. The body of the chariot 
rested directly on the axle connecting the two wheels. 

The harness of each horse consisted of a bridle and reins, usually 
made of leather, and ornamented with studs of ivory or horn. The 
reins were passed through collar bands or yoke, and were long enough 
to be tied around the waist of the charioteer, allowing him to defend 
himself when necessary.

The wheels and basket of the chariot were usually of wood, 
strengthened in places with bronze, the basket sometimes covered 
with wicker wood. The wheels had four to eight spokes.

Most other nations of this time, the “Bronze Age,” had chariots 
of similar design to the Greeks, the chief differences being the 
mountings.

The components needed to build a chariot: 
(w/Linear B translations in bold)

• Chariot  = iqiya
• Axle = akosone
• Wheels = amota
• Rims of Wheels = temidweta
• Willow wood = erika
• Elm wood = pterewa
• Bronze = kako
• Spokes
• Leather = wirino
• Reins = aniya
• Pole
• Rivets
• Studs
• Spokes
• Ivory = erepato
• Horn = kera
• Foot board = peqato
• Gold = kuruso
• Silver= akuro

Achaean Small Box Chariots with an example of the horse harness

The cabs of these chariots were framed in steam bent wood and 
probably covered with ox-hide  or wicker work, the floor consisting 
more likely of interwoven raw-hide thongs. 

The early small box-chariots were crewed either by one single man or 
two men, a charioteer and a warrior. The small box-chariot differ in 
terms of design from the Near Eastern type. The four spoke wheels 
seem to be standard throughout this period.


Rita Roberts, Haghia Triada, Crete