Chariot is a two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle, usually drawn by a horse. Chariots were among the earliest wheeled vehicles. They were probably first built in Mesopotamia, a region of the Middle East, more than 4,000 years ago. Two-wheeled chariots were used in battle by many peoples of ancient times, including the Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, and Romans. The wheels of some war chariots were fitted with scythelike blades that could severely injure enemy soldiers or horses. In time, chariot racing became a popular sport, especially in ancient Rome.