Fragment from the body of a vessel decorated with the black-figure technique. It was found in 1994, during the Makrygiannis plot excavation, to the west of METRO I street, in the area of the later dating House Ω.

A bearded charioteer standing on a two-wheeled chariot is depicted on the preserved surface. He wears the rider’s attire: a long white chiton, tightened around the waist with a red belt. He urges the horses to run faster with the use of the reins he holds with both hands and the “kentron”, a long, pointy object he holds in his right hand. From the horses only the mane and a small part of their hind legs has survived, while from the chariot, half a wheel and the rider’s seat.

Riding a quadriga was the most expensive, dangerous and most prestigious ridding activity in ancient Greece. The owners of the horses would even hire professional charioteers to drive their chariots, since chariot races demanded strength, experience and technique.