History of the Peloponnesian War

Hearing this Cleon came nearer; and when he saw it, being unwilling to risk a battle before his reinforcements arrived, and thinking that he could get away in time, he gave orders to sound a retreat and at the same time passed along word to the troops as they set off to go to the left —as alone was possible—upon the road to Eion.

But as it seemed to him this was being done too slowly, he himself wheeled the right wing, thus exposing the unarmed side[*](ie. the right side, the left being covered by the shield.) to the enemy, and began to lead off his army.

At this moment Brasidas, seeing his opportunity and the army of the Athenians on the move, said to those immediately about him[*](ie. the hundred and fifty (5.8.4).) and to the rest of the troops: “These men will not stand before us; they show it by the wagging of their spears and of their heads; men who do that never await an attack.

Somebody open the gates for me as I have ordered and let us boldly get at them as quickly as possible.” He went out then by the gate that led to the palisade and by the first gate of the long wall, which was then standing, and advanced at full speed up the straight road where now, as one comes to the steepest part of the hill, a trophy stands, and attacking the centre of the Athenians, who were amazed at his audacity, as well as panic-stricken because of their own disorder, he routed them.