What type of chariot did Leonardo da Vinci design with blades on its wheels?

Leonardo da Vinci designed a scythed chariot with blades mounted on its wheels.

A scythed chariot is a war vehicle fitted with long blades or scythes that project from its wheels. As the vehicle moved, the rotating blades were intended to threaten enemy troops nearby. Leonardo’s design is one of several military machines he drew while seeking employment as a military engineer.

The idea was not entirely new in Leonardo’s era. Scythed chariots had already appeared in accounts of ancient warfare, especially in descriptions of Persian armies. Leonardo’s contribution was a Renaissance redesign using mechanical details and a more elaborate vehicle arrangement.

There is no firm evidence that Leonardo’s version was built and used in combat. Like many of his military drawings, it demonstrates his ability to combine historical concepts with mechanical experimentation. It should also be distinguished from his armored vehicle designs, which emphasized protection and firearms rather than blades projecting from wheels.