asonable, in my opinion,
that he should visit the heaviest penalty upon these latter.

Moreover, he laid upon them, like some irresistible necessity, the
obligation to cultivate the whole virtue of a citizen. Provided they
duly performed the injunctions of the law, the city belonged to them,
each and all, in absolute possession and on an equal footing. Weakness
of limb or want of wealth (5) was no drawback in his eyes. But as for
him who, out of the cowardice of his heart, shrank from the painful
performance of the law's injunction, the finger of the legislator
pointed him out as there and then disqualified to be regarded longer as
a member of the brotherhood of peers. (6)

(5) But see Aristot. "Pol." ii. 9, 32.

(6) Grote, "H. G." viii. 81; "Hell." III. iii. 5.

It may be added, that there was no doubt as to the great antiquity of
this code of laws. The point is clear so far, that Lycurgus himself is
said to have lived in the days of the Heraclidae. (7) But being of so
long standing, these laws, even at this day, still are stamped in the
eyes of other men with all the novelty of youth. And the most marvellous
thing of all is that, while everybody is agreed to praise these
remarkable institutions, there is not a single state which cares to
imitate them.

(7) See Plut. "Lycurg." 1.

XI

The above form a common stock of blessings, open to every Spartan to
enjoy, alike in peace and in war. But if any one desires to be informed
in what way the legislator improved upon the ordinary machinery of
warfare and in reference to an army in the field, it is easy to satisfy
his curiosity.

In the first instance, the ephors announce by proclamation the limit of
age to which the service applies (1) for cavalry and heavy infantry;
and in the next place, for the various handicraftsmen. So that, even
on active service, the Lacedaemonians are well supplied with all the
conveniences enjoyed by people living as citizens at home. (2) All
implements and instruments whatsoever, which an army may need in common,
are ordered to be in readiness, (3) some on waggons and others on
baggage animals. In this way anything omitted can hardly escape
detection.

(1) I.e. "in the particular case." See "Hell." VI. iv. 17; Muller,
"Dorians," iii. 12 (vol. ii. 242 foll., Eng. tr.)

(2) Or, "the conveniences of civil life at home."

(3) Reading {parekhein}, or if {paragein}, "to be conveyed." Cf.
Pausan. I. xix. 1. See "Cyrop."