Horse With Saddle Pad And Girth

Ancient Romans regularly rode on stuffed padsaddles or pieces of cloth folded as to form a pad
of comfortable thickness and was made secure by one or more girths.
Horses Equipment
Horses equipment from Arch of Septimus.
Riding Sideways
Many imperial medals from ancient Roman times represent women as riding sideways. A
painting in Pompeii also showed men as riding in this fashion.
Pack Horse
Illustration of a pack horse, from Triumphal Arch of Constantine.
Pack Saddle
Ancient Romans often travel with a pack saddle of considerable size suitable for receiving the
bundles placed upon it. This illustration of a pack saddle is from a painting at Herculaneum.
Sumpter Horse
Illustration of a sumpter horse or a horse that carries baggage for travels. From Column of
Trajan.
Yoke For Horses
During the ancient Roman times, if only one or two horse or mule was used, it was placed in
shafts but drew the vehicle by means of a yoke. This yoke was a plain wooden bow with an arc
to fit the neck of the animal on which it rested.
Arcera
The arcera is a vehicle often used among the ancient Romans. It had four wheels, a cover and
was generally drawn by two or more horses. The outside consisted of unhewn boards covered by
loose drapery. This vehicle was especially used to convey the sick and infirm and was of
sufficient size to allow occupants to recline.
Arcima
Illustration of an arcima from a sepulchral bas-relief. The arcima was a small conveyance that is
large enough for only one person.
Basterna
Illustration of a basterna from the imperial period. This vehicle was commonly used by women
when travelling and was borne by two mules, one before and one behind each hitched to a
separate pair of shafts.
Benna
An illustration of a benna from the Column of Antoninus. This four wheeled conveyance is made
of wicker work and was of Gallic origin. A benna can accommodate several persons when
travelling.
Carpentum
Illustration of a carpentum, a vehicle used by early Romans in as early as 500 B.C. and as late as
fifth century of the Christian era. The carpentum was a covered carriage with two wheels, had
seats for two or three and was usually drawn by two mules, horses or even oxen.
Carruca
An illustration of a carruca. This vehicle had four wheels, with the front ones smaller than the
two behind. This had a cover and was drawn by two to four horses or mules. The carriage was
often ornamented by carvings in bronze and ivory and by chasings in silver and gold. Members
of the imperial families were fond of travelling using this kind of coach.
Carrus
The carrus was a cart with two wheels and boarded sides, it was drawn by oxen or bullocks and
was mainly used by the Roman armies for the transportation of their baggage and supplies.
Cisium
Illustration of a cisium, a light open vehicle of Gallic origin, had two wheels and room for two
persons. It also has a box or case beneath the seat, where small baggage can be carried in. Two
or three horses or mules were used to draw this and because of the lightness of this carriage this
is especially suitable for rapid travels.