ed of a hundred and thirty-two
men; whilst each of the other nine amounted only to sixty-six. The
entire establishment formed a regiment, if we may use the modern
expression, of seven hundred and twenty-six horse, naturally connected
with its respective legion, but occasionally separated to act in the
line, and to compose a part of the wings of the army. The cavalry of the
emperors was no longer composed, like that of the ancient republic, of
the noblest youths of Rome and Italy, who, by performing their military
service on horseback, prepared themselves for the offices of senator and
consul; and solicited, by deeds of valor, the future suffrages of their
countrymen. Since the alteration of manners and government, the most
wealthy of the equestrian order were engaged in the administration of
justice, and of the revenue; and whenever they embraced the profession
of arms, they were immediately intrusted with a troop of horse, or a
cohort of foot. Trajan and Hadrian formed their cavalry from the same
provinces, and the same class of their subjects, which recruited the
ranks of the legion. The horses were bred, for the most part, in Spain
or Cappadocia. The Roman troopers despised the complete armor with which
the cavalry of the East was encumbered. Their more useful arms consisted
in a helmet, an oblong shield, light boots, and a coat of mail. A
javelin, and a long broad sword, were their principal weapons of
offence. The use of lances and of iron maces they seem to have borrowed
from the barbarians.

The safety and honor of the empire was principally intrusted to the
legions, but the policy of Rome condescended to adopt every useful
instrument of war. Considerable levies were regularly made among the
provincials, who had not yet deserved the honorable distinction of
Romans. Many dependent princes and communities, dispersed round the
frontiers, were permitted, for a while, to hold their freedom and
security by the tenure of military service. Even select troops of
hostile barbarians were frequently compelled or persuaded to consume
their dangerous valor in remote climates, and for the benefit of the
state. All these were included under the general name of auxiliaries;
and howsoever they might vary according to the difference of times and
circumstances, their numbers were seldom much inferior to those of the
legions themselves. Among the auxiliaries, the bravest and most faithful
bands were placed under the command of praefe