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Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

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162 THE COMPANIONS.Cavalry Companion.The cavalry was <strong>of</strong> three classes. First came <strong>the</strong> heavyMacedonian horsemen, each <strong>of</strong>whom was accompanied by amounted servant or squire, <strong>and</strong> <strong>origin</strong>ally by two or threeslaves, though Philip, <strong>and</strong> again later <strong>Alex<strong>and</strong>er</strong>, found itnecessary to cut down this number to one. They were volunteers,*<strong>the</strong> best men <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> nation.It was Philip who had formed this body <strong>of</strong> young nobles,<strong>and</strong> taken <strong>the</strong> greatest pride in giving <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> highest militaryas well as <strong>the</strong> most enlightened polite education <strong>and</strong>training. They thus became fit both for comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> forstatesmanship <strong>and</strong> diplomatic service. They wore helmet<strong>and</strong> complete scale-armor, <strong>and</strong> carried a shield, thrusting-pike<strong>and</strong> sword. The horse had head-piece <strong>and</strong> breastplate, also<strong>of</strong> scale-armor. These were <strong>the</strong> so-called cavalry hetairai,Companions or bro<strong>the</strong>rs-in-arms. The first squadron constituted<strong>the</strong> royal body-guard. The hetairai were constantlycompeting under <strong>the</strong> eye <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> king for glory <strong>and</strong> reputation.They were his right h<strong>and</strong>. No Asiatic cavahy could

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