IV

But if he was thus careful in the education of the stripling,[1] the
Spartan lawgiver showed a still greater anxiety in dealing with those
who had reached the prime of opening manhood; considering their
immense importance to the city in the scale of good, if only they
proved themselves the men they should be. He had only to look around
to see what wherever the spirit of emulation[2] is most deeply seated,
there, too, their choruses and gymnastic contests will present alike a
far higher charm to eye and ear. And on the same principle he
persuaded himself that he needed only to confront[3] his youthful
warriors in the strife of valour, and with like result. They also, in
their degree, might be expected to attain to some unknown height of
manly virtue.

[1] See "Hell." V. iv. 32.

[2] Cf. "Cyrop." II. i. 22.

[3] Or, "pit face to face."

What method he adopted to engage these combatants I will now explain.
It is on this wise. Their ephors select three men out of the whole
body of the citizens in the prime of life. These three are named
Hippagretai, or masters of the horse. Each of these selects one
hundred others, being bound to explain for what reason he prefers in
honour these and disapproves of those. The result is that those who
fail to obtain the distinction are now at open war, not only with
those who rejected them, but with those who were chosen in their