Cavalry -- Greece -- History; Classical literature; Military art and science -- Greece -- Early works to 1800
One thing I am prepared to insist on: it is clear to myself that by
Heaven's help our total cavalry force might be much more quickly
raised to the full quota of a thousand troopers, (3) and with far less
friction to the mass of citizens, by the enrolment of two hundred
foreign cavalry. Their acquisition will be doubly helpful, as
intensifying the loyalty of the entire force and as kindling a mutual
ambition to excel in manly virtue.
(3) See Schneid. ad loc.; Boeckh, "P. E. A." pp. 263, 264; Herod. vi.
112; Thuc. vi. 31; Aristoph. "Knights," 223; Aeschin. "De F. L."
334-337. See for this reform, Martin, op. cit. 343, 368.
I can state on my own knowledge that the Lacedaemonian cavalry only
began to be famous (4) with the introduction of foreign troopers; and
in the other states of Hellas everywhere the foreign brigades stand in
high esteem, as I perceive. Need, in fact, contributes greatly to
enthusiasm. Towards the necessary cost of the horses I hold that an
ample fund will be provided, (5) partly out of the pockets of those who
are only too glad to escape cavalry service (in other words, those on
whom the service devolves prefer to pay a sum of money down and be
quit of the duty), (6) and from wealthy men who are physically
incompetent; and I do not see why orphans possessed of large estates
should not contribute. (7) Another belief I hold is that amongst our
resident aliens (8) there are some who will show a laudable ambition if
incorporated with the cavalry. I argue from the fact, apparent to
myself, that amongst this class persons are to be found most zealously
disposed to carry out the part assigned to them, in every other branch
of honourable service which the citizens may choose to share with
them. Again, it strikes me that if you seek for an energetic infantry
to support your cavalry, you will find it in a corps composed of
individuals whose hatred to the foe is naturally intense. (9) But the
success of the above suggestions will depend doubtless on the
consenting will of Heaven. (10)
(4) "Entered on an era of prestige with the incorporation of," after
Leuctra, 371 B.C., when the force was at its worst. See "Hell."
VI. iv. 10.
(5) Or, "money will be forthcoming for them." Cf. Lys. "Against
Philon," xxxi. 15; Martin, op. cit. 319.
(6) Cf. "Hell." III. iv. 15; "Ages." i. 23. Courier brackets this
sentence ({oti... ippeuein}) as a gloss; Martin, p. 323,
emends.
(7) As to the legal exemption of orphans Schneid. cf. Dem. "Symm."
182. 15; Lys. "Against Diogeit." 24.
(8) Lit. "metoecs." See "Revenues," ii.
(9) Lit. "men the most antagonistic to the enemy." Is the author
thinking of Boeotian emigres? Cf. "Hell." VI. iii. 1, 5; Diod. xv.
46. 6.
(10) Lit. "with the consenting will of the gods these things all may
come to pass."
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