CARROCCIO, a war chariot drawn by oxen, used by the mediaeval republics of Italy. It was a rectangular platform on which the standard of the city and an altar were erected ; priests held services on the altar before a battle, and the trumpeters be side them encouraged the fighters to the fray. In battle the car roccio was surrounded by the bravest warriors in the army and its capture was regarded as an irretrievable humiliation. The Florentine carroccio was usually followed by a smaller car bear ing the martinella, a bell to ring out military signals. When war was regarded as likely the martinella was attached to the door of the church of Santa Maria in the Mercato Nuovo in Florence and rung to warn both citizens and enemies. In times of peace the carroccio was in the keeping of some great family which had distinguished itself by signal services to the republic. It was first employed by the Milanese, in 1038.