Brian Kissner, age 10, of Watertown N.Y., for his question:

WHEN WAS THE CHARIOT INVENTED?

A chariot is a kind of horse drawn carriage on two wheels that was used in both war and peace during ancient times. The earliest two wheel chariot, reportedly from Mesopotamia, dates from about 2000 B.C.

Chariots were also used by the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and most other ancient peoples.

Because of their speed, chariots were important war vehicles. They were used mainly to transport spear carriers and archers.

The Roman form, called the currus, was entered from behind and was closed in front. It was drawn by two three or four horses, and carried either one or two persons, both standing. The word "biga" is often applied to a two horse chariot for battle or for racing; the "triga" was a chariot drawn by three horses yoked abreast, of which two drew from the pole; the "quadriga" was drawn by four horses abreast.

The "currus triumphalis," in which Roman generals rode during their triumphal entrances into the city was round, closed on all sides and had panels richly decorated with carvings in ivory.

In Rome, chariot racing was one of the most popular sports in circus games.