For one instant it
seemed as if a panic were about to spread through the Spartan ranks;
then their wonderful discipline prevailed, and with all promptitude,
but without flurry or confusion, the necessary orders were passed from
the King to the commanders of divisions, from these again to the
colonels, from the colonels to the captains, and from the captains
down to the sergeants, [Footnote: I have thought it best to give the
English titles, which of course have only a general correspondence
with the Greek Polemarch, Lochagus, etc.] who in their turn had to see
that the required movement was executed by the men under their
command: for such was the regular gradation of authority and
responsibility in the Spartan army. Thanks to this perfect
organization, in a very few minutes every man was in his place and
ready for battle.
On the left wing of the Spartan army were posted the Sciritae, hardy
mountaineers from southern Arcadia; next to them stood the
enfranchised Helots, who had served under Brasidas in Thrace, and
others of the same race who had received the Spartan citizenship in
reward for public service; then came the main body of the Spartans
themselves, and after them the rest of the Arcadian allies; while the
right wing was assigned by immemorial privilege to the Tegeans, with
whom were a few picked Spartans.
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