ipo HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



early ages of tradition, established this force, and it was 

 maintained by posterity. Horsemanship was the sport 

 of their children, the emulation of their youth, and the 

 exercise in which they persevered to old age. Horses 

 were bequeathed along with the domestics, the household 

 gods, and the rights of inheritance, and unlike other 

 things, they did not go to the eldest, but to the bravest 

 and most warlike child.' 



Their horses were neither remarkable for beauty or 

 swiftness, nor were they taught the various evolutions 

 practised by the Romans, The cavalry either bore 

 straight before them, or wheeled once to the right in so 

 compact a body that none were left behind. ' Who are 

 braver than the Germans ?' asks Seneca,^ 'who more 

 impetuous in the charge ? who fonder of arms, in the use 

 of which they are born and nourished, which are their 

 only care ? who more inured to hardships, insomuch that 

 for the most part they provide no covering for their 

 bodies — no retreat against the perpetual severity of the 

 climate ? ' Caesar tells us that they passed their whole 

 lives in hunting and military exercises.^ The chief's com- 

 panions or select followers required from him ' the warlike 

 steed and the bloody and conquering spear.' Their pre- 

 sents from neighbouring nations were most valued when 

 they consisted of fine horses, heavy armour, rich housings, 

 and gold chains. 



The Suevi had, according to Caesar, poor and ill-shaped 

 horses. Yet they must have proved very efficient, for 

 the Suevi, ' in cavalry actions, frequently leap from their 



' Tacitus, cap. 32. " On Anger, i. i r. 



Bel). Gall. vi. 21. 



