biga
9.9
A light chariot pulled by two horses used for racing or ceremonies
- noun
- /ˈbɪɡə/
- Archaic
:
biga
- The ancient Romans often raced a biga in the Circus Maximus.
Examples
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In Roman art, a biga is sometimes shown carrying gods or important officials.
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A beautifully restored biga was the highlight of the historical exhibition.
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The ancient Romans raced in a biga during festivals.
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Many bigas were decorated for ceremonial processions.
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The ancient Romans often raced a biga in the Circus Maximus.
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A beautifully restored biga was the highlight of the historical exhibition.
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Many bigas were decorated for ceremonial processions.
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word biga comes from Latin and has the prefix bi- meaning 'two', and it was the name for a light chariot pulled by two horses in ancient Rome. So a biga is literally a two-horse vehicle, which explains its use in races and processions.
