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