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whom they call Forensic； is sent away。 He demands from the
enemy the restitution of the plunder； asks that the allies should
be freed from oppression； or that the tyrant should be deposed。
If they deny these things war is declared by invoking the ven…
geance of God the God of Sabaoth for destruction of those
who maintain an unjust cause。 But if the enemy refuse to re…
ply； the priest gives him the space of one hour for his answer；
if he is a king； but three if it is a republic； so that they cannot
escape giving a response。 And in this manner is war under…
taken against the insolent enemies of natural rights and of re…
ligion。 When war has been declared； the deputy of Power
performs everything； but Power； like the Roman dictator； plans
and wills everything； so that hurtful tardiness may be avoided。
And when anything of great moment arises he consults Hoh
and Wisdom and Love。
Before this； however； the occasion of war and the justice of
making an expedition are declared by a herald in the great
Council。 All from twenty years and upward are admitted to
this Council； and thus the necessaries are agreed upon。 All
kinds of weapons stand in the armories； and these they use often
in sham fights。 The exterior walls of each ring are full of
guns prepared by their labors； and they have other engines for
hurling which are called cannons； and which they take into
battle upon mules and asses and carriages。 When they have
arrived in an open plain they enclose in the middle the provis…
ions； engines of war； chariots； ladders； and machines； and all
fight courageously。 Then each one returns to the standards；
and the enemy thinking that they are giving and preparing to
flee； are deceived and relax their order： then the warriors of
the City of the Sun； wheeling into wings and columns on each
side； regain their breath and strength； and ordering the artillery
to discharge their bullets they resume the fight against a disor…
ganized host。 And they observe many ruses of this kind。
They overcome all mortals with their stratagems and engines。
Their camp is fortified after the manner of the Romans。 They
pitch their tents and fortify with wall and ditch with wonderful
quickness。 The masters of works； of engines and hurling
machines； stand ready； and the soldiers understand the use of
the spade and the axe。
Five； eight； or ten leaders learned in the order of battle and
in strategy consult together concerning the business of war；
and command their bands after consultation。 It is their wont
to take out with them a body of boys； armed and on horses； so
that they may learn to fight； just as the whelps of lions and
wolves are accustomed to blood。 And these in time of danger
betake themselves to a place of safety； along with many armed
women。 After the battle the women and boys soothe and re…
lieve the pain of the warriors； and wait upon them and encour…
age them with embraces and pleasant words。 How wonderful
a help is this！ For the soldiers； in order that they may acquit
themselves as sturdy men in the eyes of their wives and off…
spring； endure hardships； and so love makes them conquerors。
He who in the fight first scales the enemy's walls receives after
the battle of a crown of grass； as a token of honor； and at the
presentation the women and boys applaud loudly； that one who
affords aid to an ally gets a civic crown of oak…leaves； he who
kills a tyrant dedicates his arms in the temple and receives from
Hoh the cognomen of his deed； and other warriors obtain other
kinds of crowns。
Every horse…soldier carries a spear and two strongly tem…
pered pistols； narrow at the mouth； hanging from his saddle。
And to get the barrels of their pistols narrow they pierce the
metal which they intend to convert into arms。 Further； every
cavalry soldier has a sword and a dagger。 But the rest； who
form the light…armed troops； carry a metal cudgel。 For if the
foe cannot pierce their metal for pistols and cannot make
swords； they attack him with clubs； shatter and overthrow him。
Two chains of six spans length hang from the club； and at the
end of these are iron balls； and when these are aimed at the
enemy they surround his neck and drag him to the ground； and
in order that they may be able to use the club more easily； they
do not hold the reins with their hands； but use them by means
of the feet。 If perchance the reins are interchanged above the
trappings of the saddle； the ends are fastened to the stirrups
with buckles； and not to the feet。 And the stirrups have an ar…
rangement for swift movement of the bridle； so that they draw
in or let out the rein with marvellous celerity。 With the right
foot they turn the horse to the left； and with the left to the right。
This secret； moreover； is not known to the Tartars。 For； al…
though they govern the reins with their feet； they are ignorant
nevertheless of turning them and drawing them in and letting
them out by means of the block of the stirrups。 The light…
armed cavalry with them are the first to engage in battle； then
the men forming the phalanx with their spears； then the archers
for whose services a great price is paid； and who are accus…
tomed to fight in lines crossing one another as the threads of
cloth； some rushing forward in their turn and others receding。
They have a band of lancers strengthening the line of battle；
but they make trial of the swords only at the end。
After the battle they celebrate the military triumphs after the
manner of the Romans； and even in a more magnificent way。
Prayers by the way of thank…offerings are made to God； and
then the general presents himself in the temple； and the deeds；
good and bad； are related by the poet or historian； who accord…
ing to custom was with the expedition。 And the greatest chief；
Hoh； crowns the general with laurel and distributes little gifts
and honors to all the valorous soldiers； who are for some days
free from public duties。 But this exemption from work is by
no means pleasing to them； since they know not what it is to be
at leisure； and so they help their companions。 On the other
hand； they who have been conquered through their own fault；
or have lost the victory； are blamed； and they who were the first
to take to flight are in no way worthy to escape death； unless
when the whole army asks their lives； and each one takes upon
himself a part of their punishment。 But this indulgence is
rarely granted； except when there are good reasons favoring it。
But he who did not bear help to an ally or friend is beaten with
rods。 That one who did not obey orders is given to the beasts；
in an enclosure； to be devoured； and a staff is put in his hand；
and if he should conquer the lions and the bears that are there；
which is almost impossible； he is received into favor again。
The conquered States or those willingly delivered up to them；
forthwith have all things in common； and receive a garrison
and magistrates from the City of the Sun； and by degrees they
are accustomed to the ways of the city； the mistress of all； to
which they even send their sons to be taught without contribut…
ing anything for expense。
It would