History of the Peloponnesian War

But the Argives and their allies, on seeing them, took up a position that was steep and difficult of access, and drew up for battle.

The Lacedaemonians went against them at once, advancing within a stone's throw or a javelin's cast; then one of the older men, seeing that they were going against a strong place, called out to Agis that he thought to cure one ill with another, meaning that the motive of his present unseasonable eagerness was to make amends for the culpable retreat from Argos.[*](cf. 5.61.1; 5.63.2.)