A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Warfare; Government 545
which they are familiar, with milled edges and with a These old
... . ... coins contwo-horse
chariot stamped on it. They also prefer silver tained less
to gold. This is not a matter of taste; but a number of those ofthe
small silver coins is more useful for men who buy only
writer's time,
cheap and common articles.
Even iron is not plentiful, as one may gather from the Arms and
111
warfare.
r- 1
nature of their weapons. Swords and long lances are
Tac. Germ. 6.
rarely used; they carry spears, or, as they name them,
" Frams " which have a short narrow head, but are so sharp
and handy that they use the same weapon as circumstances
demand for close and open fighting. The cavalry are
content with shield and spear; the infantry also shower
javeUns; each man carried several, and they can throw
them a very long way. They fight naked or in a light
plaid. They have no elaborate apparel, and merely paint
their shields with distinctive colors, of the brightest hue.
Few wear cuirasses, hardly any helmets or caps. Their
horses are distinguished neither for build nor for speed. . . •
II.
Government
Kings they choose by family, generals by merit. But Kings, warthe
kings have not an unfettered power; and the generals
priests.'
lead less by authority than by force of example, according j^,, q^^^ ^
as they win praise for energy, conspicuous bravery and ^^^^^^^^
daring. Powers of execution or imprisonment and even '^Vorid, 525.
of flogging are granted to none but the priests, nor are
they exercised as a penalty or at the general's command,
but at the bidding—so they imagine—of the tribal god
whom they believe to be present in the ranks. Statues
and certain symbols are taken down from the trees of the
grove and carried into battle. The troops of horse and
the wedge-battalions of infantry are formed not merely
at haphazard but by families and clans. In this lies their