of so much comeliness, wonder, and astonishment, that he attracts the attention of all spectators whether young or old. No person leaves him or grows tired of seeing him, until he has exhibited all his splendour.

If a person possessed of such a steed should happen to lead and command a troop of cavalry, it is not proper that he should individually be ostentatiously splendid, but rather that the whole of the line which follows him should be gratifying to the sight.

And if one of these horses, so much commended, should take the lead, which rears very high and frequently, and advances with quick short steps, it is evident that the other horses must follow him with a slow and gentle pace. In what consists the splendour of such a spectacle ?

Let the

and does not prevent our seeing. breastplate be so made that it may not hinder either our sitting down or stooping.

About the lower extremity of the belly, the genitals, and the parts around, let extremities of the mail of such a description and size be so placed as to defend the limbs.

When the left hand suffers any injury it proves destructive to the rider, we therefore recommend the defensive armour invented for it, called gauntlets. For it both protects the shoulder, and the arm above and below the elbow, and the contiguous parts of the reins, and may be extended and contracted at pleasure; and, besides, it covers up the vacant space of the breastplate under the armpit.

If a person be fortunate in the purchase of a horse, and feed him so as to enable him to endure labour, and train him properly for martial exercises, and ostentatious exhibitions of horsemanship, and contests in the field of battle, what can be an obstacle to his rendering horses more valuable than when he received them, and to his possessing approved horses, and obtaining renown as a horseman, unless some heavenly power prevent it?

XII. We will also explain how he should be arined who intends to encounter danger on horseback. First, then, we assert that the breastplate should be made to fit the body: when it fits well, the body supports it; when it is too loose, the shoulders alone sustain the weight; when it is too strait, it becomes a prison, not armour.

And as the neck is one of the vital parts, we recommend that a covering be made similar to the neck out of the breastplate; for this is at the same time ornamental, and if properly made, will receive within it, when necessary, the rider's face as high as his nose.

Moreover, we consider the helmet of Bootian manufacture as by far the best: because it completely protects all above the breastplate.

It seems to us much preferable to have a covering of the arms similar to greaves for the legs, than to have it connected with the rest of the armour. That part which is bared by raising the right hand, must be protected near the breastplate by a piece of leather or brass, otherwise a most vital part is left unguarded.

And since, when an accident befals a horse, the rider is also brought into the greatest dan ger, the horse must be armed with a plate of brass on the forehead, another on the breast, and another on the side: for these also prove coverings for the rider's thighs. Above every thing, the horse's belly must be protected; for it is the most fatal and infirm part of his body and it may be defended by the saddle.

The saddle should be formed of such mate rials as to enable the rider to sit with great est safety, and not injure the seat on the horse's back. On the other parts of the body let horse and horseman be thus armed.

The rider's legs and feet will naturally hang down below the covering of the horse's thighs; these would be armed, if covered with boots made of the same leather as the military shoes; and they would thus serve as defensive armour to the legs, and shoes to the feet.

The above is the equestrian armour, by which, with the assistance of the gods, injury may be warded off. But in injuring the enemy,

Instead of a spear made of a pole, as it is fragile and incommodious to carry, we give a preference to two spears made of the cornel tree. For the one can be hurled by the person skilled in throwing it, and the remaining one can be used in front, laterally, and in rear: they are besides stronger and lighter than a spear.

We commend that hurling of javelins which takes place at the greatest distance; for by this means more time is granted to turn aside

draw back the right, rise from our thighs, and hurl the javelin slightly pointed upwards, it will be thus carried most impetuously to the greatest distance, and with unerring aim, provided the point of the lance when thrown is directed towards the mark.

The above are our admonitions, instructions, and exercises, which we recommend to the unskilled rider what the general of the horse should understand and practise is explained in another treatise.

EPISTLE I.

TO ESCHINES.

MEETING with Hermogenes, amongst other things I asked him what philosophy you followed, he answered, the same as Socrates. For this inclination I admired you, when you lived at Athens, and now continue the same admiration for your constancy above other students of wisdom; the greatest argument to me of your virtue, is your being taken with that man, if we may call the life of Socrates mortal. That there are divine beings over us, all know we worship them as exceeding us in power; what they are is neither easy to find, nor lawful to inquire. It concerns not servants to examine the nature and actions of their masters, their duty is only to obey them, and which is most considerable, the more admiration they deserve who busy themselves in those things which belong to man; the more trouble this brings them, who affect glory in vain unseasonable objects. For when, Eschines, did any man hear Socrates discourse of the heavens, or advise his scholars to mathematical demonstrations? we know he understood music no farther than the ear; but was always discoursing to his friends of something excellent; what is fortitude and justice and other virtues. These he called the proper good of mankind; other things he said men could not arrive at; or they were of kin to fables, such ridiculous things as are taught by the supercilious professors of wisdom. Nor

did he only teach this, his practice was answerable; of which I have written at large elsewhere, what I hope will not be unpleasing to you, though you know it already, to peruse.

Let those who are not satisfied with what Socrates delivered, give over upon this conviction, or confine themselves to what is probable. Living, he was attested wise by the deity; dead, his murderers could find no expiation by repentance. But these extraordinary persons affect Egypt, and the prodigious learning of Pythagoras, which unnecessary study argueth them of inconstancy towards Socrates, as doth also their love of tyrants, and preferring the luxury of a Sicilian table before a frugal life.

war.

EPISTLE II.

TO CRITO.

Socrates often told us, that they who provide much wealth for their children, but neglected to improve them by virtue, do like those that feed their horses high, and never train them to the manage; by this means their horses are the better in case, but the worse for service, whereas the commendations of a horse consists not in his being fat, but serviceable in In the same kind err they who purchase lands for their children, but neglect their persons; their possessions will be of great value, themselves of none, whereas the owner ought to be more honourable than his estate. Whosoever therefore breeds his son well, though he leave him little, gives him much it is the mind which makes him great or small: whatsoever they have, to the good seems sufficient, to the rude too little. You leave your children no more than necessity requires, which they, being well educated, will esteem plentiful. The ignorant, though free from present trouble, have nothing the less fear for the future.