Transvectio equitum

The Transvectio equitum (English: "review of the cavalry") was a parade of the young men (iuventus) of the Roman equestrian class (equites) that took place annually on 15 July. Dionysius of Halicarnassus^[1] states that the procession began at the Temple of Mars in Clivo situated along the Via Appia some two kilometers outside the Porta Capena.^[2] The procession stopped at the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Forum Romanum before continuing on to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill.^[3] The religious rite traced its origins to the battle of Lake Regillus when the Dioscuri gave aid to the Romans during the battle itself.^[4]

Roman youth on horseback

Other, later, sources indicate that the parade commenced at the temple of Honos.^[5] The emperor Augustus revived the ancient ceremony, combining it with a recognitio equitum or probatio equitum in order to scrutinize the character of the equestrians themselves.^[6]

Epigraphic evidence indicates that some boys participated in the rite at quite a young age.^[7][8] It is likely that a close connection may be drawn between the transvectio equitum and the Lusus Troiae.^[7]

A sculpted relief from Como likely depicts the procession.^[9]

Sources

• ILS 316
• CIL 6.3512
• CIL 14.3624
• CIL 6.31847