Spartan Mora regiments at Battle of Plataea

[Ghostmojo]

There are some interesting aspects to this which surely have to be taken in light of possible changes that weren't recorded. For example the remnant of Brasidas's unit might not have amounted to exactly 700 even if it was recorded earlier as being so. Following his death, a new commander might have reorganised these Brasideioi along more regular lines perhaps, and allowing for deaths, desertions and so on might not this unit have decreased substantially or significantly? Conversely it might have been augmented with other liberated helots. However, I favour the Brasideioi remaining a separate unit with another separate unit of Neodamodeis raised in immitation of this successful 'new citizen' unit.

The term Lakedaimonians is also a difficult one to be specific about because of the way the ancients used it. Sometimes specifically meaning just Spartans or even just Spartiates, sometimes clearly referring to the whole Spartan led host (at least those from Lakonia) including Periokoi and Helots. Add to that the secretive nature of the Spartans and their unwillingness to either confirm or deny exact figure breakdowns within an army on campaign who can say for sure what Lakedaimonian (Lacedaemonian) meant at any given time? I have always taken the term to allow for the larger grouping rather than smaller strata of society when considering an army in the field. Surely, the secretive nature of the Spartan system is reinforced to an enemy not really knowing for certain if the unit they faced was fully Spartiates - Hypomeniones - Perioikoi - or Neodamdodeis? The arrival of the lambda shield device would further enhance the lack of clarity.

The manpower shortages could be concealed to some extent in this way, although it is at times like this I wish I could lay hands on my photocopy of Lazenby's book. It is buried under some stuff up in my loft or my parents loft perhaps (I've moved house a few times in recent years), and I was always fascinated by some of his assertions. His own views certainly moved towards the calculation of actual Spartans within the ranks as being perhaps greater than many would believe. He makes very good arguments for it (as I remember) and perhaps somebody could help me out here by quoting the relevant passage/s? I also wish I could remember exactly where I read the Hippeis formed part of the first mora (or fought with it). He also discusses at length the whole lochos/mora dichotomy.

I do wish somebody would publish Lazenby's The Spartan Army again. When you consider some of the very obscure books which are available through specialist publishers (admittedly often expensive) it surely would be worth someody tackling this one? I once wrote to the original publishers but never got a reply...

I also recognise we have wandered away from the original Plataia aspect of this, but hey ho, that's the way these threads go.