12-02-2009, 02:04 AM
My Penguin copy of The Histories says exactly the same thing Paul (obviously) - but I am attempting to read between the lines. You may think this might be an unprofitable waste of time, but indulge me: the key words being "on this occasion"; "were chosen by himself"; and "all fathers of living sons". The 'occasion' (Thermopylai) suggests or implies (to me) perhaps, that there may be a deviation from usual practice.
Perhaps the deviation is that they were "chosen by himself." If I recall, the wording when Agiselaos goes off to Asia is that he "asked for" and was "granted" 30 spartiates. and above I cited:
Why not "he took" as opposed to "they sent"?
This I think is answerable. Xenophon tells us that the Sacred Band was initially wasted by being dispersed along the front ranks of the army. They became a potent force when brought together into a single unit. It is easy to overlook how even small frontages along the line of battle could be decisive. Think how truly small the frontage of the Thebans at 50 ranks deep were.
Perhaps the deviation is that they were "chosen by himself." If I recall, the wording when Agiselaos goes off to Asia is that he "asked for" and was "granted" 30 spartiates. and above I cited:
Quote:Hellenica 5.3.8
Having come to this conclusion, they sent out Agesipolis, the king, as commander, and with him, as they had sent with Agesilaus to Asia, thirty Spartiatae.
Why not "he took" as opposed to "they sent"?
Quote:Finally, one has to wonder as to why have a separate body of 300 men - not arrayed/organised numerically as with the other Spartan regiments - but standing on the battlefield in some important manner (near the king) but not acting as a bodyguard. Why bother? Why not just disperse these men amongst the ranks of the other morai?
This I think is answerable. Xenophon tells us that the Sacred Band was initially wasted by being dispersed along the front ranks of the army. They became a potent force when brought together into a single unit. It is easy to overlook how even small frontages along the line of battle could be decisive. Think how truly small the frontage of the Thebans at 50 ranks deep were.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
