The cavalry, never a very strong part
of the Spartan army, were posted on either flank.
On the other side the Mantineans held the place of honour on the right
wing, because the engagement was fought in their territory; next in
order were the Arcadian allies of Argos, and after them, more towards
the centre, stood a picked troop of a thousand Argives, trained and
equipped at the public expense; then followed the main body of the
Argive troops, with the rest of their allies, the Athenians occupying
the extreme left. As to the numbers engaged, nothing certain is known.
Some time was lost by the Argive army in delivering the customary
harangues addressed by the generals of the several contingents to
their men, and this enabled the Spartans to steady their ranks before
the fighting began. They, on their side, men of war from their youth,
had no need of set speeches to remind them of their duty; but pithy
words of exhortation passed from man to man, and high and clear rose
their national war-songs, thrilling them with the memories of their
heroic past. Then the signal was given on both sides to charge, and
the Argives and their allies rushed impetuously to the onset, while
the Spartans advanced to meet them with even and deliberate pace,
timed to the music of numerous pipers, who were stationed at regular
intervals in their ranks.
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