In addition to normal cavalry Pontus also fielded scythed chariots. The scythed chariot was a modified war chariot. There is no accepted archaeological evidence concerning scythed chariots. The reason for this peculiar formation became apparent when the scythed chariots attacked. Scythed chariots, called r"athamusala," were introduced by the King of Magadha, Ajatashatru around 475 BC. The scythed chariot was later invented in India and soon adopted by the Persians. One of Leonardo da Vinci's ideas was a scythed chariot. The figures are shown in a chariot with scythed wheels, drawn by two horses. The Grenadier Guard was scythed apart, refusing to retreat in the face of overwhelming firepower. Pharnaces' scythed chariots threw the men into confusion.