Cassiodorus — The Letters of Cassiodorus — 40. King Theodoric to Assuin (or Assius), Vir Illustris and Comes.

Cassiodorus
The Letters of Cassiodorus
BOOK I.
40. King Theodoric to Assuin (or Assius), Vir Illustris and Comes.

40. King Theodoric to Assuin (or Assius), Vir Illustris and Comes.

The inhabitants of Salona to be drilled.

'War needs rehearsal and preparation. Therefore let your Illustrious Sublimity provide the inhabitants of Salona with arms, and let them practise themselves in the use of them; for the surest safeguard of the Republic is an armed defender.'

The necessity of drill and practice is shown by the early combats of bullocks, the play-huntings of puppies, the necessity of first kindling a fire with very little sticks, and so forth.