Exploring Turning Circle Differences in Ancient Chariots

[Ghost Writer]

Hi all -

In the Near Eastern Late Bronze Age the Egyptians employed a two-man chariot with the axle placed at the rear of the vehicle; whereas the Hittites employed a three-man chariot with the axle placed in the center of the vehicle. As a result, the weight of the two-man crew in the Egyptian vehicle was in front of the axle whereas the weight of the three-man crew was directly over the axle. Several scholars assert that the Egyptian chariot with its rear-axle placement had a tighter turning circle than the Hittite chariot with it center-axle placement. My questions are: Is this in fact true? And if it is true, why is it true? Which is to say, what is the scientific explanation as to why a rear-axle configuration with crew weight distributed forward of the axle results in a tighter turning circle than a center-axle configuration with crew weight distributed over the axle? In asking these asking let us assume that wheel track and axle length as well as the total vehicle length (including horses) are equal for both chariots.

Thanks in advance to anyone providing answers to these questions.

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.
A horse that steps sideways will rotate the chariot about the centre of the axle.
The closer the axle is to the horse, the tighter the possible turning circle.
That suggests the opposite of what you claim several scholars assert.
Have you got it backwards?

 

[berkeman]

I agree with @Baluncore -- Do you have pictures or drawings of the two different designs, including the harnesses to the horse(s)?

EDIT -- Maybe like these two images?

https://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/assets/img/full-size/pharaoh-chariot-merl.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4e/55/9f/4e559fa64a60e5ca6b1c024ddf831078.jpg

 

[Baluncore]

Unlike a vehicle with limited front wheel steering, a horse can walk sideways, and backwards at the same time, if needed. Any chariot can therefore be turned in it's own length. If the wheels are at the rear they must be included in the length.
The length of the combination is the diagonal from one shoulder of the horse to the diagonally opposite rearmost point of the chariot or wheel.