The auriga is wearing a short tunic, with several leather straps encircling the body, visible on the bronze figure. A similar auriga can be seen in the Vatican museum (see below).

In "the private life of the Romans", published in 1903, Harold Whetstone Johnston writes :

The drivers (agitatores, aurigae) were slaves or freedmen, some of whom had won their freedom by their skill and daring in the course. Only in the most corrupt days of the Empire did citizens of any social position take actual part in the races. The dress of the driver is shown in Figures (...); especially to be noticed are the close-fitting cap, the short tunic (always of the color of his factio), laced around the body with leather thongs, the straps of leather around the thighs, the shoulder pads, and the heavy leather protectors for the legs. Our football players wear like defensive armor. The reins were knotted together and passed around the driver’s body. In his belt he carried a knife to cut the reins in case he should be thrown from the car, or to cut the traces if a horse should fall and become entangled in them. The races gave as many opportunities then as now for skillful driving, and required even more strength and daring. What we should call “fouling” was encouraged. The driver might turn his team against another, or might upset the car of a rival if he could; having gained the inside track, he might drive out of the straight course to keep a swifter team from passing his. The rewards were proportionately great. The successful auriga, though his social station was low, was the pet and pride of the race-mad crowd, and under the Empire, at least, he was courted and fêted by high and low. The pay of successful drivers was extravagant, since the rival syndicates bid against one another for the services of the most popular. Rich presents were given the drivers when they won their races, not only by their factiones, but also by outsiders who had backed them and profited by their skill.

The right hand and the feet missing. Otherwise good conservation and details, nice dark patina.

                                                                                                                                                                                Material : Bronze
                                                                                                                                                                                Origin : Italy
                                                                                                                                                                                Provenance : Pierre Bergé, Paris, auction sale
                                                                                                                                                                                Periode : II c.A.D.
                                                                                                                                                                                Dimensions : H. : 9 cm (without stand)

        Ref. : r-105  

   Price & Conditions : EUR 3000 -