noted that while they aim； as laws elsewhere； at the common weal；
their guiding principle is far other than that which most nations
follow。 Most states permit their citizens to bring up their own
children at their own discretion； and allow the grown men to regulate
their own lives at their own will； and then they lay down certain
prohibitions； for example； not to pick and steal； not to break into
another man's house； not to strike a man unjustly； not to commit
adultery； not to disobey the magistrate； and so forth； and on the
transgressor they impose a penalty。 ＇3＇ But the Persian laws try； as
it were； to steal a march on time； to make their citizens from the
beginning incapable of setting their hearts on any wickedness or
shameful conduct whatsoever。 And this is how they set about their
object。
In their cities they have an open place or square dedicated to Freedom
（Free Square they call it）； where stand the palace and other public
buildings。 From this place all goods for sale are rigidly excluded；
and all hawkers and hucksters with their yells and cries and
vulgarities。 They must go elsewhere； so that their clamour may not
mingle with and mar the grace and orderliness of the educated classes。
＇4＇ This square； where the public buildings stand； is divided into
four quarters which are assigned as follows： one for the boys； another
for the youths； a third for the grown men； and the last for those who
are past the age of military service。 The law requires all the
citizens to present themselves at certain times and seasons in their
appointed places。 The lads and the grown men must be there at
daybreak； the elders may； as a rule； choose their own time； except on
certain fixed days； when they too are expected to present themselves
like the rest。 Moreover； the young men are bound to sleep at night
round the public buildings； with their arms at their side； only the
married men among them are exempt； and need not be on duty at night
unless notice has been given； though even in their case frequent
absence is thought unseemly。 ＇5＇ Over each of these divisions are
placed twelve governors； twelve being the number of the Persian
tribes。 The governors of the boys are chosen from the elders； and
those are appointed who are thought best fitted to make the best of
their lads： the governors of the youths are selected from the grown
men； and on the same principle； and for the grown men themselves and
their own governors； the choice falls on those who will； it is hoped；
make them most prompt to carry out their appointed duties； and fulfil
the commands imposed by the supreme authority。 Finally； the elders
themselves have presidents of their own； chosen to see that they too
perform their duty to the full。
＇6＇ We will now describe the services demanded from the different
classes； and thus it will appear how the Persians endeavour to improve
their citizens。 The boys go to school and give their time to learning
justice and righteousness： they will tell you they come for that
purpose； and the phrase is as natural with them as it is for us to
speak of lads learning their letters。 The masters spend the chief part
of the day in deciding cases for their pupils： for in this boy…world；
as in the grown…up world without； occasions of indictment are never
far to seek。 There will be charges； we know； of picking and stealing；
of violence； of fraud； of calumny； and so forth。 The case is heard and
the offender； if shown to be guilty； is punished。 ＇7＇ Nor does he
escape who is found to have accused one of his fellows unfairly。 And
there is one charge the judges do not hesitate to deal with； a charge
which is the source of much hatred among grown men； but which they
seldom press in the courts； the charge of ingratitude。 The culprit
convicted of refusing to repay a debt of kindness when it was fully in
his power meets with severe chastisement。 They reason that the
ungrateful man is the most likely to forget his duty to the gods； to
his parents； to his fatherland； and his friends。 Shamelessness； they
hold； treads close on the heels of ingratitude； and thus ingratitude
is the ringleader and chief instigator to every kind of baseness。 ＇8＇
Further； the boys are instructed in temperance and self…restraint； and
they find the utmost help towards the attainment of this virtue in the
self…respecting behaviour of their elders； shown them day by day。 Then
they are taught to obey their rulers； and here again nothing is of
greater value than the studied obedience to authority manifested by
their elders everywhere。 Continence in meat and drink is another
branch of instruction； and they have no better aid in this than；
first； the example of their elders； who never withdraw to satisfy
their carnal cravings until those in authority dismiss them； and next；
the rule that the boys must take their food； not with their mother but
with their master； and not till the governor gives the sign。 They
bring from home the staple of their meal； dry bread with nasturtium
for a relish； and to slake their thirst they bring a drinking…cup； to
dip in the running stream。 In addition； they are taught to shoot with
the bow and to fling the javelin。
The lads follow their studies till the age of sixteen or seventeen；
and then they take their places as young men。
＇9＇ After that they spend their time as follows。 For ten years they
are bound to sleep at night round the public buildings； as we said
before； and this for two reasons； to guard the community and to
practise self…restraint； because that season of life； the Persians
conceive； stands most in need of care。 During the day they present
themselves before the governors for service to the state； and；
whenever necessary； they remain in a body round the public buildings。
Moreover； when the king goes out to hunt； which he will do several
times a month； he takes half the company with him； and each man must
carry bow and arrows； a sheathed dagger； or 〃sagaris；〃 slung beside
the quiver； a light shield； and two javelins； one to hurl and the
other to use； if need be； at close quarters。 ＇10＇ The reason of this
public sanction for the chase is not far to seek； the king leads just
as he does in war； hunting in person at the head of the field； and
making his men follow； because it is felt that the exercise itself is
the best possible training for the needs of war。 It accustoms a man to
early rising； it hardens him to endure head and cold； it teaches him
to march and to run at the top of his speed； he must perforce learn to
let fly arrow and javelin the moment the quarry is across his path；
and； above all； the edge of his spirit must needs be sharpened by
encountering any of the mightier beasts： he must deal his stroke when
the creature closes； and stand on guard when it makes its rush：
indeed； it would be hard to find a case in war that has not its
parallel in the chase。 ＇11＇ But to proceed： the young men set out with
provisions that are ampler； naturally； than the boys' fare； but
otherwise the same。 During the chase itself they would not think of
breaking their fast； but if a halt is called； to beat up the game； or
for any hunter's reason； then they will make； as it were； a dinner of
their breakfast； and； hunting again on the morrow till dinner…time；
they will count the two days as one； because they have only eaten one
day's food。 This they do in order that； if the like necessity should
arise in war； they may be found equal to it。 As relish to their bread
these young men have whatever they may kill in the chase； or failing
that； nasturtium like the boys。 And if one should ask how they can
enjoy the meal with nasturtium for their only condiment and water for
their only drink； let him bethink himself how sweet barley bread and
wheaten can taste to the hungry man and water to the thirsty。 ＇12＇ As
for the young men who are left at home； they spend their time in
shooting and hurling the javelin； and practising all they learnt as
boys； in one long trial of skill。 Beside this； public games are open
to them and prizes are offered； and the tribe which can claim the
greatest number of lads distinguished for skill and courage and
faithfulness is given the meed of praise from all the citizens； who
honour； not only their present governor； but the teacher who trained
them when they were boys。 Moreover； these young men are also employed
by the magistrates if garrison work needs to be done or if malefactors
are to be tracked or robbers run down； or indeed on any errand which
calls for strength of limb and fleetness of foot。 Such is the life of
the youth。 But when the ten years are accomplished they are classed as
grown men。 ＇13＇ And from this time forth for five…and…twenty years
they live as follows。
First they present themselves； as in youth； before the magistrates for
service to the state wherever there is need for strength and sound
sense combined。 If an expedition be on foot the men of this grade
march out； not armed with the bow or the light shield any longer； but
equipped with what are called the close…combat arms； a breastplate up
to the throat； a buckler on the left arm （just as the Persian warrior
appears in pictures）； and for the right hand a dagger or a sword。
Lastly； it is from this grade that all the magistrates are appointed
except the teachers for the boys。 But when the five…and…twenty years
are over and the men have reached the age of fifty years or more； then
they take rank as elders； and the title is deserved。 ＇14＇ These elders
no longer go on military service beyond the frontier； they stay at
home and decide all cases； public and private both。 Even capital
charges are left to their decision； and it is they who choose all the
magistrates。 If a youth or a grown man breaks the law he is brought
into court by the governors of his tribe； who act as suitors in the
case； aided by any other citizen who pleases。 The cause is heard
before the elders and they pronounce judgment； and the man who is
condemned is disenfranchised for the rest of his days。
＇15＇ And now； to complete the picture of the whole Persian policy； I
will go back a little。 With the help of what has been said before； the
account may now be brief； the Persians are sai