On the Cavalry Commander

The gallop finished and the goal reached, the right plan is to ride back to the temples by the same route, but at a slow pace: thus every effect that can be obtained from a horse with a man on his back[*](The Greek text is unreliable here.) will be included in the display, to the satisfaction of gods and men alike.

I know that our cavalrymen are not accustomed to these movements: but I am sure that they are desirable and beautiful, and will delight the spectators. I am aware, too, that the cavalry have exhibited other novel feats of skill in days when the cavalry commanders had sufficient influence to get their wishes carried out.

During the parade at the Lyceum, before the javelin-throwing, the right way is to ride in two divisions in line of battle, each division consisting of five regiments with its commander at the head and the colonels; and the line should be so extended that the whole breadth of the course will be covered.

As soon as they reach the highest point looking down on the Theatre opposite,[*](The Theatre of Dionysus, facing them as they come westwards from the Lyceum.) I think it would clearly be useful if you displayed your men’s ability to gallop downhill in fairly large companies.

To be sure, I know well enough that, if they feel confident of their ability to gallop, they will welcome the opportunity of showing off their skill: but you must see that they are not short of practice, or the enemy will compel them to do it against their will.

The formation that would add most to the beauty of the exercises at the inspections[*](The allusion is not to the inspection of recruits by the Council, but to the manoeuvres enumerated in 3.l. The formation is that proposed in 2.) has already been explained. Provided his horse is strong enough, the leader should ride round with the file that is on the outside every time. He will be galloping all the time himself, and the file whose turn it is to be on the outside with him will also be galloping. Thus the eyes of the Council will always be on the galloping file, and the horses will get a breathing space, resting by turns.[*](As it is not known precisely what evolutions took place at the displays, it is impossible to make out what changes Xenophon proposes.)