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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
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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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