The Merits Of Protestantism Demonstrated By The Character Of Man PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ...in which he inspired them with resolution and courage by exhortation, commendation, and reward. When the Persians went on an expedition, their wives, mothers, and children followed the c& a custom which was anciently observed among all oriental nations. The motive for this custom was to inspire them with courage, lest they should lose every thing that was dear to them in life. Their provisions and baggage were caried on camels, the soldiers simply bearing their arms. The manner in which the Persians marched may be gathered from this description. Herodotus gives us the march of the army of Xerxes from Sardis. "First of all went those who had the care of the baggage; these were followed by a promiscuous body of strangers of all nations, without any regularity, but to the amount of more than half the army. After these was a considerable interval, for these did not join the troops where the king was. Next came 1000 horse, the flower of the Persian army, who were succeeded by the same number of spearmen, in like manner selected, trailing their pikes upon the ground; behind these were ten sacred horses, called N iseean, with very superb trappings. Suidas, a popular Greek writer, says, that these horses were also remarkable for swiftness. The sacred car of Jupiter was next in the procession. It was drawn by eight white horses, behind which, on foot, was the charioteer, with the reins in his hands, for no mortal was permitted to sit in this car. Then came Xerxes himself in a chariot drawn by Nisaean horses; by his side sate his charioteer, whose name was Patiramphes, son of Otanes, the Persian." Such was the order in which Xerxes departed from Sardis; but as often as occasion required he left his chariot for a common carriage....