History of the Peloponnesian War

Never had the Lacedaemonians, as far back as they remembered, been in such consternation as on this occasion. Their preparation had to be made on short notice; and at once in haste they fell into their own array, king Agis directing each movement as the law prescribed.

For when a king leads all orders are given by him: he himself gives the necessary order to the polemarchs,[*](Commanders of the six morae, according to Xen. Const. Lac. 11.4) they to the commanders of battalions, these to the captains of companies, these again to the commanders of platoons, and these to the platoons.

So the special orders, if they wish to give any, proceed in the same way, and reach their destination quickly; for almost the whole army of the Lacedaemonians consists of officers over officers, and the responsibility for the execution of orders devolves upon many.

On this occasion there were posted on the left wing the Sciritae,[*](Inhabitants of the rough hilly country towards the territory of Tegea.) who alone of the Lacedaemonians always have that post by themselves; next to them the soldiers who had served with Brasidas in Thrace, and with them the Neodamodes; next the Lacedaemonians themselves, with their battalions posted one after another, and by them the Heraeans of Arcadia; after these the Maenalians; on the right wing the Tegeates, with a few of the Lacedaemonians holding the end of the line; and on either wing the cavalry.