On Horsemanship Xenophon

[9] Reading as vulg. {os malista epainousi tous toioutous ippous, os}.
    L. Dind. omits the words as a gloss.

[10] Reading {oi} (for {osoi}) {sumparepomenoi}. See Hartmann, "An.
    Xen. Nov." xiv. p. 343.

One word more. Supposing a man has shown some skill in purchasing his
horses, and can rear them into strong and serviceable animals,
supposing further he can handle them in the right way, not only in the
training for war, but in exercises with a view to display, or lastly,
in the stress of actual battle, what is there to prevent such a man
from making every horse he owns of far more value in the end than when
he bought it, with the further outlook that, unless some power higher
than human interpose,[11] he will become the owner of a celebrated
stable, and himself as celebrated for his skill in horsemanship.

[11] Or, "there is nothing, humanly speaking, to prevent such a man."
    For the phrase see "Mem." I. iii. 5; cf. "Cyrop." I. vi. 18; and
    for the advice, "Econ." iii. 9, 10.

XII

We will now describe the manner in which a trooper destined to run the
risks of battle upon horseback should be armed. In the first place,
then, we would insist, the corselet must be made to fit the person;
since, if it fits well, its weight will be distributed over the whole
body; whereas, if too loose, the shoulders will have all the weight to
bear, while, if too tight, the corselet is no longer a defensive arm,
but a "strait jacket."[1] Again, the neck, as being a vital part,[2]
ought to have, as we maintain, a covering, appended to the corselet
and close-fitting. This will serve as an ornament, and if made as it
ought to be, will conceal the rider's face--if so he chooses--up to
the nose.

[1] Cf. "Mem." III. x.

[2] L. Dind. cf. Hom. "Il." viii. 326:

{. . . othi kleis apoergei
aukhena te stethos te, malista de kairion estin.}

"Where the collar-bone fenceth off neck and breast, and where is
the most deadly spot" (W. Leaf).

As to the helmet, the best kind, in our opinion, is one of the
Boeotian pattern,[3] on the principle again, that it covers all the
parts exposed above the breastplate without hindering vision. Another
point: the corselet should be so constructed that it does not prevent
its wearer sitting down or stooping. About the abdomen and the
genitals and parts surrounding[4] flaps should be attached in texture
and in thickness sufficient to protect[5] that region.

[3] Schneider cf. Aelian, "V. H." iii. 24; Pollux, i. 149.

[4] Schneider cf. "Anab." IV. vii. 15, and for {kai ta kuklo}, conj.
    {kuklo}, "the abdomen and middle should be encircled by a skirt."

[5] Lit. "let there be wings of such sort, size, and number as to
    protect the limbs."

Again, as an injury to the left hand may disable the horseman, we
would recommend the newly-invented piece of armour called the
gauntlet, which protects the shoulder, arm, and elbow, with the hand
engaged in holding the reins, being so constructed as to extend and
contract; in addition to which it covers the gap left by the corselet
under the armpit. The case is different with the right hand, which the
horseman must needs raise to discharge a javelin or strike a blow.
Here, accordingly, any part of the corselet which would hinder action
out to be removed; in place of which the corselet ought to have some
extra flaps[6] at the joints, which as the outstretched arm is raised
unfold, and as the arm descends close tight again. The arm itself,[7]
it seems to us, will better be protected by a piece like a greave
stretched over it than bound up with the corselet. Again, the part
exposed when the right hand is raised should be covered close to the
corselet either with calfskin or with metal; or else there will be a
want of protection just at the most vital point.

[6] {prosthetai}, "moveable," "false." For {gigglumois} L. & S. cf.
    Hipp. 411. 12; Aristot. "de An." iii. 10. 9 = "ball-and-socket
    joints."

[7] i.e. "forearm."

Moreover, as any damage done to the horse will involve his rider in
extreme peril, the horse also should be clad in armour--frontlet,
breastplate, and thigh-pieces;[8] which latter may at the same time
serve as cuisses for the mounted man. Beyond all else, the horse's
belly, being the most vital and defenceless part, should be protected.
It is possible to protect it with the saddle-cloth. The saddle itself
should be of such sort and so stitched as to give the rider a firm
seat, and yet not gall the horse's back.

[8] Cf. "Cyrop." VI. iv. 1; VII. i. 2.

As regards the limbs in general, both horse and rider may be looked
upon as fully armed. The only parts remaining are the shins and feet,
which of course protrude beyond the cuisses, but these also may be
armed by the addition of gaiters made of leather like that used for
making sandals. And thus you will have at once defensive armour for
the shins and stockings for the feet.

The above, with the blessing of heaven, will serve for armour of
defence. To come to weapons of offence, we recommend the sabre rather
than the straight sword,[9] since from the vantage-ground of the
horse's position the curved blade will descend with greater force than
the ordinary weapon.

[9] The {makhaira} (or {kopis}), Persian fashion, rather than the
    {xephos}. "Cyrop." I. ii. 13.

Again, in place of the long reed spear, which is apt to be weak and
awkward to carry, we would substitute two darts of cornel-wood;[10]
the one of which the skilful horseman can let fly, and still ply the
one reserved in all directions, forwards, backwards,[11] and
obliquely; add to that, these smaller weapons are not only stronger
than the spear but far more manageable.

[10] For these reforms, the result of the author's Asiatic experiences
    perhaps, cf. "Hell." III. iv. 14; "Anab." I. viii. 3; "Cyrop." I.
    ii. 9.

[11] Reading {eis toupisthen} after Leoncl.

As regards range of discharge in shooting we are in favour of the
longest possible, as giving more time to rally[12] and transfer the
second javelin to the right hand. And here we will state shortly the
most effective method of hurling the javelin. The horseman should
throw forward his left side, while drawing back his right; then rising
bodily from the thighs, he should let fly the missile with the point
slightly upwards. The dart so discharged will carry with the greatest
force and to the farthest distance; we may add, too, with the truest
aim, if at the moment of discharge the lance be directed steadily on
the object aimed at.[13]

[12] Al. "to turn right-about."

[13] "If the lance is steadily eyeing the mark at the instant of
    discharge."

This treatise, consisting of notes and suggestions, lessons and
exercises suited to a private individual, must come to a conclusion;
the theory and practice of the matter suited to a cavalry commander
will be found developed in the companion treatise.[14]

[14] In reference to "The Cavalry General", or "Hipparch."




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