What ancient battlefield vehicle did Leonardo da Vinci redesign with blades on its wheels?

Leonardo da Vinci redesigned the scythed chariot, an ancient battlefield vehicle fitted with blades on its wheels.

His drawing shows a chariot with rotating scythes or blades intended to sweep through opposing troops as the vehicle moved. The concept drew on ancient war machines, especially scythed chariots associated with armies such as those of the Persians and later Hellenistic rulers.

Leonardo’s version belongs to his studies of military engineering and battlefield devices. It was a design concept, not a documented invention that entered service. The exposed blades would also have posed serious dangers to the vehicle’s own animals and crew.

The scythed chariot should not be confused with Leonardo’s separate armored fighting vehicle. One relies on wheel-mounted blades for attack; the other emphasizes an armored shell and mounted guns.