1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Quadriga

QUADRIGA, the ancient four-horsed chariot (Lat. quadrigae, contracted from quadrijugae), which was regarded as one of the seven sacred features in Rome. It was chiefly used, as the triumphal car of generals or emperors. The earliest example mentioned is that which was modelled in terra-cotta and raised on the pediment of the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. In later time it formed the chief decorative feature which crowned the triumphal arches, and there are numerous representations of it on coins.