On Horsemanship [17]
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
[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