08-07-2009, 06:58 AM
Further to my last post, a clearer example of mercenaries coming forward fully equipped is referred to in Xenophon Hell.IV.2.
Agesilaus is taking an expedition back to Greece from Asia minor. It includes 4-6,000 of the "Cyreans" ( The Ten Thousand), who certainly came fully equipped. In addition he "offered prizes ( athla )to whichever (allied) city produced the best force, and to whichever captains (lochagoi) of mercenaries(mistophoroi) joined him with the best equipped company of Hoplites, of archers, and of peltasts. The cavalry commanders were also told a special prize would be given to whoever produced the best mounted and best equipped squadron......the greater part of the prizes consisted of magnificently made armour, both for Hoplites and cavalry; there were also Gold Crowns [ for archers and peltasts who wore no armour] and altogether the prizes cost at least four Talents .[a very large sum]
Agesilaus is taking an expedition back to Greece from Asia minor. It includes 4-6,000 of the "Cyreans" ( The Ten Thousand), who certainly came fully equipped. In addition he "offered prizes ( athla )to whichever (allied) city produced the best force, and to whichever captains (lochagoi) of mercenaries(mistophoroi) joined him with the best equipped company of Hoplites, of archers, and of peltasts. The cavalry commanders were also told a special prize would be given to whoever produced the best mounted and best equipped squadron......the greater part of the prizes consisted of magnificently made armour, both for Hoplites and cavalry; there were also Gold Crowns [ for archers and peltasts who wore no armour] and altogether the prizes cost at least four Talents .[a very large sum]
"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
