Bronzed Resin Statue finished by hand in each particular detail. "Chariot racing was the most popular sport andentertainment in ancient Rome, which was appealing to all social classes from slaves to the emperors. The charioteers came mainly from slaves and the competition was very fierce. They led their horses and tried by any stratagem to throw their opponents off the track, or, at the bends, they threw water on the smoking and overheated wheels of their opponents. The drivers were skillful and they risked their lives for high stakes -- the wreath of victory and great sums of money to the winner. One of the most famous charioteers is certainly the protagonist of the novel ""Ben-Hur"" by Lew Wallace, who challenged his half-brother Messalah during the famous chariot race to defend the honor of his jewish family, also immortalized in the famous 1959 film of the same name directed by William Wyler."