Attic black-figure oinochoe depicting a chariot race

The young charioteer, wearing a long chiton and a headband, steers the quadriga (a chariot drawn by four horses abreast), restraining with the reins the galloping horses, as they reach the most critical moment of the race, the turning point. As he passes in front of the white turning post the tension reaches its peak, as is apparent from the leaning forward of his body and the vigorous movement of the horses, with rearing forelegs and flaring nostrils.

The turning post (kampter or nyssa), where the chariot rounded the turn, was the place where accidents most often occurred, since the charioteers jockeyed for the inside position in order to gain ground on their opponents.