In the former, the victorious general entered the city on foot, wearing a crown of myrtle; in the latter, he was borne in a chariot, and wore a crown of laurel.

The ovation was granted to such generals as had averted a threatened war, or gained some great advantage without inflicting great loss on the enemy.

The triumph was allowed only to those who had gained some signal victory, which decided the fate of a protracted war.

The following description, extracted from Plutarch, of the great triumph granted to Paulus AEmilius, for his glorious termination of the Macedonian war, will give the reader an adequate idea of the splendour displayed by the Romans on these festive occasions.
The people erected scaffolds in the forum and circus, and all other parts of the city where they could best behold the pomp.

The spectators were clad in white garments; all the temples were open, and full of garlands and perfumes; and the ways cleared and cleansed by a great many officers, who drove away such as thronged the passage, or straggled up and down.
The triumph lasted three days; on the first, which was scarce long enough for the sight, were to be seen the statues, pictures, and images of an extraordinary size, which were taken from the enemy, drawn upon seven hundred and fifty chariots.