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of Poseidon； where were growing all manner of trees of wonderful height and
beauty； owing to the excellence of the soil； while the remainder was
conveyed by aqueducts along the bridges to the outer circles； and there
were many temples built and dedicated to many gods； also gardens and places
of exercise； some for men； and others for horses in both of the two islands
formed by the zones； and in the centre of the larger of the two there was
set apart a race…course of a stadium in width； and in length allowed to
extend all round the island； for horses to race in。 Also there were guard…
houses at intervals for the guards； the more trusted of whom were appointed
to keep watch in the lesser zone； which was nearer the Acropolis； while the
most trusted of all had houses given them within the citadel； near the
persons of the kings。 The docks were full of triremes and naval stores；
and all things were quite ready for use。 Enough of the plan of the royal
palace。
Leaving the palace and passing out across the three harbours； you came to a
wall which began at the sea and went all round： this was everywhere
distant fifty stadia from the largest zone or harbour； and enclosed the
whole； the ends meeting at the mouth of the channel which led to the sea。
The entire area was densely crowded with habitations； and the canal and the
largest of the harbours were full of vessels and merchants coming from all
parts； who； from their numbers； kept up a multitudinous sound of human
voices； and din and clatter of all sorts night and day。
I have described the city and the environs of the ancient palace nearly in
the words of Solon； and now I must endeavour to represent to you the nature
and arrangement of the rest of the land。 The whole country was said by him
to be very lofty and precipitous on the side of the sea； but the country
immediately about and surrounding the city was a level plain； itself
surrounded by mountains which descended towards the sea； it was smooth and
even； and of an oblong shape； extending in one direction three thousand
stadia； but across the centre inland it was two thousand stadia。 This part
of the island looked towards the south； and was sheltered from the north。
The surrounding mountains were celebrated for their number and size and
beauty； far beyond any which still exist； having in them also many wealthy
villages of country folk； and rivers； and lakes； and meadows supplying food
enough for every animal； wild or tame； and much wood of various sorts；
abundant for each and every kind of work。
I will now describe the plain； as it was fashioned by nature and by the
labours of many generations of kings through long ages。 It was for the
most part rectangular and oblong； and where falling out of the straight
line followed the circular ditch。 The depth； and width； and length of this
ditch were incredible； and gave the impression that a work of such extent；
in addition to so many others； could never have been artificial。
Nevertheless I must say what I was told。 It was excavated to the depth of
a hundred feet； and its breadth was a stadium everywhere； it was carried
round the whole of the plain； and was ten thousand stadia in length。 It
received the streams which came down from the mountains； and winding round
the plain and meeting at the city； was there let off into the sea。 Further
inland； likewise； straight canals of a hundred feet in width were cut from
it through the plain； and again let off into the ditch leading to the sea：
these canals were at intervals of a hundred stadia； and by them they
brought down the wood from the mountains to the city； and conveyed the
fruits of the earth in ships； cutting transverse passages from one canal
into another； and to the city。 Twice in the year they gathered the fruits
of the earthin winter having the benefit of the rains of heaven； and in
summer the water which the land supplied by introducing streams from the
canals。
As to the population； each of the lots in the plain had to find a leader
for the men who were fit for military service； and the size of a lot was a
square of ten stadia each way； and the total number of all the lots was
sixty thousand。 And of the inhabitants of the mountains and of the rest of
the country there was also a vast multitude； which was distributed among
the lots and had leaders assigned to them according to their districts and
villages。 The leader was required to furnish for the war the sixth portion
of a war…chariot； so as to make up a total of ten thousand chariots； also
two horses and riders for them； and a pair of chariot…horses without a
seat； accompanied by a horseman who could fight on foot carrying a small
shield； and having a charioteer who stood behind the man…at…arms to guide
the two horses； also； he was bound to furnish two heavy…armed soldiers； two
archers； two slingers； three stone…shooters and three javelin…men； who were
light…armed； and four sailors to make up the complement of twelve hundred
ships。 Such was the military order of the royal citythe order of the
other nine governments varied； and it would be wearisome to recount their
several differences。
As to offices and honours； the following was the arrangement from the
first。 Each of the ten kings in his own division and in his own city had
the absolute control of the citizens； and； in most cases； of the laws；
punishing and slaying whomsoever he would。 Now the order of precedence
among them and their mutual relations were regulated by the commands of
Poseidon which the law had handed down。 These were inscribed by the first
kings on a pillar of orichalcum； which was situated in the middle of the
island； at the temple of Poseidon； whither the kings were gathered together
every fifth and every sixth year alternately； thus giving equal honour to
the odd and to the even number。 And when they were gathered together they
consulted about their common interests； and enquired if any one had
transgressed in anything； and passed judgment； and before they passed
judgment they gave their pledges to one another on this wise：There were
bulls who had the range of the temple of Poseidon； and the ten kings； being
left alone in the temple； after they had offered prayers to the god that
they might capture the victim which was acceptable to him； hunted the
bulls； without weapons； but with staves and nooses； and the bull which they
caught they led up to the pillar and cut its throat over the top of it so
that the blood fell upon the sacred inscription。 Now on the pillar；
besides the laws； there was inscribed an oath invoking mighty curses on the
disobedient。 When therefore； after slaying the bull in the accustomed
manner； they had burnt its limbs； they filled a bowl of wine and cast in a
clot of blood for each of them； the rest of the victim they put in the
fire； after having purified the column all round。 Then they drew from the
bowl in golden cups； and pouring a libation on the fire； they swore that
they would judge according to the laws on the pillar； and would punish him
who in any point had already transgressed them； and that for the future
they would not； if they could help； offend against the writing on the
pillar； and would neither command others； nor obey any ruler who commanded
them； to act otherwise than according to the laws of their father Poseidon。
This was the prayer which each of them offered up for himself and for his
descendants； at the same time drinking and dedicating the cup out of which
he drank in the temple of the g