12.8
Since the rider is seriously imperilled in the event of his horse being wounded, the horse also should be armed, having head, chest, and thigh pieces: the last also serve to cover the rider’s thighs. But above all the horse’s belly must be protected; for this, which is the most vital part, is also the weakest. It is possible to make the cloth serve partly as a protection to it.
12.9
The quilting of the cloth should be such as to give the rider a safer seat and not to gall the horse’s back.
12.9
Thus horse and man alike will be armed in most parts.
12.10
But the rider’s shins and feet will of course be outside the thigh-pieces. These too can be guarded if boots made of shoe-leather are worn: there will thus be armour for the shins and covering for the feet at the same time.
12.11
These are the defensive arms which with the gracious assistance of heaven will afford protection from harm. For harming the enemy we recommend the sabreThe sabre (μάχαιρα) was used in the Lacedaemonian and the Persian army. κοπίς is the special term for the Persian weapon. rather than the sword, because, owing to his lofty position, the rider will find the cut with the Persian sabre more efficacious than the thrust with the sword.
12.12
And, in place of the spear with a long shaft, seeing that it is both weak and awkward to manage, we recommend rather the two Persian javelins of cornel wood. For the skilful man may throw the one and can use the other in front or on either side or behind. They are also stronger than the spear and easier to manage.The two Persian javelins were shorter than the Greek spear.
