Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/245

B. in. c. in. 6. SPAIN. 231 numerous other similar productions, the majority of its inhabit- ants, neglecting to gain their subsistence from the ground, parsed their lives in pillage and continual warfare, both be- tween themselves and their neighbours, whom they used to cross the Tagus [to plunder]. To this the Romans at length put a stop by subduing them, and changing many of their cities into villages, besides colonizing some of them better. / The mountaineers, as was natural, were the first to com- mence this lawless mode of life : for living but scantily, and possessing little, they coveted the goods of others, who being obliged to repulse them, of necessity relinquished their proper employments, and instead of pursuing agriculture took up arms. Thus it happened that their country, being neglected, became barren notwithstanding its natural advantages, and inhabited by bandits. 6. The Lusitanians are reported to be clever in laying am- bushes, sharp, swift of foot, light, 1 and easily disciplined as soldiers. The small shield they make use of is two feet in diameter, its outer surface Qpncave, and suspended by leather tEongs ; it neither has rings nor handles. They have in addi- tion 2 a poignard or dagger. Their corselets are for the most part made of Hnen ; a lew have chain-coats and helmets with triple crests, but the others use helmets composed of sinews. The infantry wear greaves, each man is furnished with a number of javelins ; some also use spears pointed with brass. They report that some of those who dwell near to the river Douro 3 imitate the Lacedaemonians in anointing their bodies with oil, using hot air-baths made of heated stones, bathing in cold water, and taking but one tidy and frugal meal a day. The Lusitanians are frequent in the performance of sacrifice ; they examine the entrails, but without cutting them out of the body ; they also examine the veins of the side, and practise augury by the touch. They likewise divine by the entmih_of^ativje_enemies, whom they first cover with a mili- tary cloak, and when stricken under the entrails by the haruspex, they draw their first auguries from the fall [of the 1 The KovQoQ of the text signifies also a volatile disposition. 2 Some part of the sentence seems here to be wanting. It probably contained a description of the kind of sword made use of. 3 Durius.