as shown some skill in purchasing his
horses, and can rear them into strong and serviceable animals, supposing
further he can handle them in the right way, not only in the training
for war, but in exercises with a view to display, or lastly, in the
stress of actual battle, what is there 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