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 .