The Economist by Xenophon
page 29 of 152 (19%)
page 29 of 152 (19%)
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matters military.
[3] Or, Gerrophoroi, "wicker-shield bearers." [4] Or, "rendezvous"; "the 'Champ de Mars' for the nonce." Cf. "Cyrop." VI. ii. 11. [5] Lit. "he sends some of the faithful to inspect." Cf. our "trusty and well-beloved." [6] See, for the system, Herod. iii. 89 foll.; "Cyrop." VIII. vi. 11. [7] Or, as we say, "inspecting officers." Cf. "Cyrop." VIII. i. 9. Further than this, by means of a royal progress through the country, he has an opportunity of inspecting personally some portion of his territory, and again of visiting the remainder in proxy as above by trusty representatives; and wheresoever he perceives that any of his governors can present to him a district thickly populated, and the soil in a state of active cultivation, full of trees and fruits, its natural products, to such officers he adds other territory, adorning them with gifts and distinguishing them by seats of honour. But those officers whose land he sees lying idle and with but few inhabitants, owing either to the harshness of their government, their insolence, or their neglect, he punishes, and making them to cease from their office he appoints other rulers in their place. . . . Does not this conduct indicate at least as great an anxiety to promote the active cultivation of the land by its inhabitants as to provide for its defence by military occupation?[8] |
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