08-15-2007, 06:01 AM
....indeed. It was customary, and a jealously guarded priveledge, for the 'senior' Ally/Unit to take post on the right, traditionally the post of honour. This led to the strongest units tending to face the weaker units of the enemy's left (the least honourable post).
On that basis, one would have expected the Thebans and Spartans to have taken the right, facing their opponents respective left.
To tackle the Spartans head on, by taking the left, was a bold decision on Epaminondas' part - his contribution to victory - and it so nearly failed, as related above.
At Plataea, the Spartans 'gave way' to the Athenians ( a signal honour) on the basis that they had bested the 'barbarians' earlier - at Marathon.
On that basis, one would have expected the Thebans and Spartans to have taken the right, facing their opponents respective left.
To tackle the Spartans head on, by taking the left, was a bold decision on Epaminondas' part - his contribution to victory - and it so nearly failed, as related above.
At Plataea, the Spartans 'gave way' to the Athenians ( a signal honour) on the basis that they had bested the 'barbarians' earlier - at Marathon.
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
