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]
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]