1. Compare pp. 290–91 on making use of things and profit. The ‘usefulness’ of a horse lies in its manageability: this is clearer in the Greek than the English, and introduces Critobulus’ next question.

2. In other words, Critobulus is to do with horses exactly what Ischomachus later recommends for farms (pp. 355–6): buy them (not necessarily when young), improve them and resell them.

3. Brides were often in their mid-teens, even if the man was considerably older.