Spartan hype?

[PMBardunias]

Xenophon described was the only practical way.

We're arguing apples and oranges. I only point out that Spartans were more than happy to be on the right flank of the advancing theban column for tactical reasons. The fact that this was almost assured by the geopolitical situation just simplifies the situation. (I'm sure Agiselaos cried his eyes out to think of those poor Mantineans getting hit by the Theban column.)

I have never seen it suggested that the Spartans specifically tried to hit them in the right or rear- as Xenophon suggests for Koronea and lays out in the Cyopaedia. This is why I brought it up, if true it puts a very different face on the battle. And if someone could prove it for me, then I'd have a ready reply for the one hundred million and first time I hear "those tactically stagnant spartans were incapable of adopting the super-cool theban tactics or even coming up with a response."

Yes, but that's because they haven't been taught proper Aspis/Dory fighting !!

You have obviously never seen a co-ed with an oboe. :wink:

Yes we'd better- for I suspect we are in danger of 'upstaging' your article.

Very much so- I only had 2,500 words! By the way, the illustration is going to be even better than my article and will go a long way in showing what could be done even with locked shields

BTW at Coronea, the Thebans may have begun their charge at 200 yds

This is an excellent point. If you can show that those phalanxes facing Spartans waited longer to initiate their charge- knowing spartans would not charge equally fast- I think you could almost prove this.