[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."