three times as great in extent as these abadiyehs, which were considered, in modern Egypt, sufficient to supply the wants of a whole family of peasants; they must, therefore, have secured not merely a bare subsistence, but ample provision for their proprietors.

** Diodorus Siculus says in so many words (i. 74) that “the farmers spent their life in cultivating lands which had been let to them at a moderate rent by the king, by the priests, and by the warriors.”

Lest they should forget the conditions upon which they possessed this military holding, and should regard themselves as absolute masters of it, they were seldom left long in possession of the same place:  Herodotus asserts that their allotments were taken away-yearly and replaced by others of equal extent.  It is difficult to say if this law of perpetual change was always in force; at any rate, it did not prevent the soldiers from forming themselves in time into a kind of aristocracy, which even kings and barons of highest rank could not ignore.  They were enrolled in special registers, with the indication of the holding which was temporarily assigned to them.  A military scribe kept this register in every royal nome or principality.

[Illustration:  092.jpg SOME OF THE MILITARY ATHLETIC EXERCISES]

     Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a scene in the tomb of Amoni-
     Amenemhait at Beni-Hasan.

He superintended the redistribution of the lands, the registration of privileges, and in addition to his administrative functions, he had in time of war the command of the troops furnished by his own district; in which case he was assisted by a “lieutenant,” who as opportunity offered acted as his substitute in the office or on the battle-field.  Military service was not hereditary, but its advantages, however trifling they may appear to us, seemed in the eyes of the fellahs so great, that for the most part those who were engaged in it had their children also enrolled.  While still young the latter were taken to the barracks, where they were taught not only the use of the bow, the battle-axe, the mace, the lance, and the shield, but were all instructed in such exercises as rendered the body supple, and prepared them for manoeuvring, regimental marching, running, jumping, and wrestling either with closed or open hand.  They prepared themselves for battle by a regular war-dance, pirouetting, leaping, and brandishing their bows and quivers in the air.  Their training being finished, they were incorporated into local companies, and invested with their privileges.  When they were required for service, part or the whole of the class was mustered; arms kept in the arsenal were distributed among them, and they were conveyed in boats to the scene of action.  The Egyptians were not martial by temperament; they became soldiers rather from interest than inclination.