[
1330b]
[1]
and among the remaining considerations, a sloping site is
favorable both for political and for military purposes. For military purposes
therefore the site should be easy of exit for the citizens themselves, and
difficult for the adversary to approach and to blockade, and it must possess if
possible a plentiful natural supply of pools and springs, but failing this, a
mode has been invented of supplying water by means of constructing an abundance
of large reservoirs for rain-water, so that a supply may never fail the citizens
when they are debarred from their territory by war. And since we have to consider the health of the
inhabitants, and this depends upon the place being well situated both on healthy
ground and with a healthy aspect, and secondly upon using wholesome
water-supplies, the following matter also must be attended to as of primary
importance. Those things which we use for the body in the largest quantity, and
most frequently, contribute most to health; and the influence of the
water-supply and of the air is of this nature. Hence in wise cities if all the
sources of water are not equally pure and there is not an abundance of suitable
springs, the water-supplies for drinking must be kept separate from those for
other requirements. As to fortified
positions, what is expedient is not the same for all forms of constitution
alike; for example, a citadel-hill is suitable for oligarchy and
monarchy,
[20]
and a level site for
democracy; neither is favorable to an aristocracy, but rather several strong
positions. The arrangement of the private dwellings is thought to be more
agreeable and more convenient for general purposes if they are laid out in
straight streets, after the modern fashion, that is, the one introduced by
Hippodamus
1; but it
is more suitable for security in war if it is on the contrary plan, as cities
used to be in ancient times; for that arrangement is difficult for foreign
troops
2 to enter and to find their way
about in when attacking. Hence it
is well to combine the advantages of both plans (for this is possible
if the houses are laid out in the way which among the farmers some people call
‘on the slant’
3 in the case of
vines), and not to lay out the whole city in straight streets, but only
certain parts and districts, for in this way it will combine security with
beauty.
As regards walls, those who aver that
cities which pretend to valor should not have them hold too old-fashioned a
view—and that though they see that the cities that indulge in that
form of vanity are refuted by experience. It is true that against an evenly matched foe and one
little superior in numbers it is not honorable to try to secure oneself by the
strength of one's fortifications; but as it does and may happen that the
superior numbers of the attackers may be too much for the human valor of a small
force, if the city is to survive and not to suffer disaster or insult, the
securest fortification of walls must be deemed to be the most warlike,