1 6 THE HISTORY AND ART 



The Partlaans refembled the Perfians fo much in 



their cudoms and manners, and were fituaied fo near 



them, that they were incorporated, and feeraed to 



form but one nation. They were very eminent for 



the fkili with which they managed their horfes, 



and their manner of fighting upon them. They are 



defcribed as having fuch dexterity and fupplenefs of 



body, and fuch a command over their horfes, that they 



could turn themfelves round upon their backs with fo 



much eafe and readinefs, as to be able to draw their 



bovys v/ith the fureft aim, and wound their enemies, 



even while they themfelves were flying from them, 



this manner of fighting being peculiar to them. The 



name of PartJms is derived from a Chaldaian word, 



which fignifies horfeman : their horfes are faid to have 



been very a6live, and eafy in their paces *. We learn 



from Vegetius that they were taught to ftep equally, 



and in time, and to lift their legs aloft, fo as to pafs 



over any thing that might lie in their way, as well 



as to acquire a pliancy and fpring in their limbs, 



which made their motion very agreeable to the rider, 



and refembled the adlion or manner of going of the 



Ailurian^ or Spanifh horfes. The better to form their 



paces, they pradifed the following method : 



They never applied rollers, chains, or weights to 

 their feet, in order to make them lift them from the 



* Florus 49. Tacitus Ann. 6. 35. Pliny 6. 27. 



Dion Cafl". lib. 40. Dionys. Per. 1089. 



Juftinj lib. 41. Quint. Curt. 4, 12, and 5, 7. 



ground, 



