G.M. Tell me now, I pray you, of their military affairs.
Then you may explain their arts, ways of life and sciences,
and lastly their religion.


Capt. The triumvir, Power, has under him all the magis-
trates of arms, of artillery, of cavalry, of foot-soldiers, of archi-
tects, and of strategists; and the masters and many of the
most excellent workmen obey the magistrates, the men of each
art paying allegiance to their respective chiefs. Moreover,
Power is at the head of all the professors of gymnastics, who
teach military exercise, and who are prudent generals, advanced
in age. By these the boys are trained after their twelfth year.
Before this age, however, they have been accustomed to wres-
tling, running, throwing the weight, and other minor exercises,
under inferior masters. But at twelve they are taught how to
strike at the enemy, at horses and elephants, to handle the spear,
the sword, the arrow, and the sling; to manage the horse, to
advance and to retreat, to remain in order of battle, to help a
comrade in arms, to anticipate the enemy by cunning, and to
conquer.

The women also are taught these arts under their own magis-
trates and mistresses, so that they may be able if need be to
render assistance to the males in battles near the city. They
are taught to watch the fortifications lest at some time a hasty
attack should suddenly be made. In this respect they praise the
Spartans and Amazons. The women know well also how to
let fly fiery balls, and how to make them from lead; how to