Herodotus\' Battle of the Champions

[Dithrambus]

Herodotus (1.82) tells a fascinating albeit brief story of a 'Battle of Champions' fought between 300 Spartans and 300 Argives in 546 bc, the battle was fought by the 600 picked champions to avoid an all-out war over the possession of Thyrea, in the Argolid. Only one Spartan (Othryades) and two Argives (Alkenor, Chromius) survived and a dispute over who had won led to a pitched battle involving both armies in which the Spartans emerged the victors. Herodotus states that Othryades, the lone Spartan survivor of the 'Battle of Champions' commited suicide after apparently also surviving the pitched battle.

One of the end results according to Herodotus, is the establishment of the Spartan tradition of wearing long hair. I find this brief narrative fascinating and I am curious to know if there are other Classical references to this battle and if it is widely accepted that the Spartan tradition of wearing long hair began at Thyrea?, it seems that I have read a different account of the beginnings of this tradition, just don't remember where. Also, was it common to resolve disputes in this manner?

Thanks

[Epictetus]

Pausanias briefly mentions the battle, but I don't think he mentions the long hair story.

[hoplite14gr]

Long hair were always the mark of aristokrat or well to do person from the Bronze age.
Spartan long hair are mentioned in Plutarch's life of Lykourgos and "Morals".
The classical Spartans inherited the the tradition and probably ancient laws enforced it for the fighting men.
Kind regards

[Dithrambus]

Thanks guys, I am a little embarrassed since I have the works of Pausanias, been a while since I have read that particular passage though. I was suspicious of Herodotus' account of the Spartan tradition of wearing their hair long, it would seem to date much further back than 546bc.

What about the concept of having a small force of picked 'champions' do battle to preserve the main armies, are there any other examples of this in history? This is reminiscent of Homeric 'single combat', just on a larger scale. Considering that I have not read of any other examples, I am inclined to believe that it was not common (could be wrong, of course), plus the fact that at least in this example it did not resolve the issue and a pitched battle occured nonetheless.


Thanks

[Epictetus]

Although this thread meanders a bit, it mentions some picked champions from written sources and archaeological finds:

Single Combat During the Trojan War

Then there is the famous battle of the champion triplets, the Horatti and Curiatti.

It happened that there were in each of the two armies three brothers born at one birth, unequal neither in age nor strength. That they were called Horatii and Curiatii is certain enough; nor is there any circumstance of antiquity more celebrated; yet in a matter so well ascertained, a doubt remains concerning their names, to which nation the Horatii and to which the Curiatii belonged. Authors claim them for both sides; yet I find more who call the Horatii Romans. My inclination leads me to follow them. The kings confer with the three brothers, that they should fight with their swords each in defence of their respective country; (assuring them) that dominion would be on that side on which victory should be. No objection is made; time and place are agreed on. Before they engaged, a compact is entered into between the Romans and Albans on these conditions, that the state whose champions should come off victorious in that combat, should rule the other state without further dispute.

Livy 1.24

[Dithrambus]

Thank you David!

That is an interesting example.

Are there any examples in the 'Greek' context? Other than the Homeric duels.

Herodotus' account of the 'Battle of Champions' seems suspect (at least to me), why would the two surviving Argives not simply dispatch Othryades and avoid any conflict over who had won? I realize that some questions cannot be answered, but I like asking them anyway. :wink:

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Because a hit on the head had left Othryades on the other side of the field unconcious. After some hours he found himself in that unspeakable sight of an abandoned battlefield. He must have thought he had already gone in Hades. The only survivor of a battle between champions! His nightmare didn't finish. He set a trophy and left. One wonders why in Herodotus' story it isn't mentioned that he gathered the dead all by himself and buned them. For something similar ten athenian strategoi would be condemned to death hundrets of years later!

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

The other story is that Othryades was a real beast and the two Argives preffered to run for it. They were Argives after all! :twisted: And besides,as they claimed they were more! Those Argives, tsk!
Khaire
Giannis

[hoplite14gr]

In more Greek context:

There was a Beotian invasion in Geometric Era Athens
The Beotian king Xanthos challenged the Atheninan king Themetes
The contest was won i favor of the Athenians when Melanthos stepped forwards and said to the Beotian king:
Since when escorts are allowed in duels?
When Xanthos turned to see who followed him Melanthos prompty stabbed him!
source; Stabo

Kind regards

[Dithrambus]

Because a hit on the head had left Othryades on the other side of the field unconcious. After some hours he found himself in that unspeakable sight of an abandoned battlefield. He must have thought he had already gone in Hades. The only survivor of a battle between champions! His nightmare didn't finish. He set a trophy and left. One wonders why in Herodotus' story it isn't mentioned that he gathered the dead all by himself and buned them. For something similar ten athenian strategoi would be condemned to death hundrets of years later!

What is the source for this version? I would be interested in reading it.

The other story is that Othryades was a real beast and the two Argives preffered to run for it. They were Argives after all! :twisted: And besides,as they claimed they were more! Those Argives, tsk!
Khaire
Giannis

I had assumed this could have been the case, discretion is the better part of valor? :wink:

Thanks Giannis

[Dithrambus]

In more Greek context:

There was a Beotian invasion in Geometric Era Athens
The Beotian king Xanthos challenged the Atheninan king Themetes
The contest was won i favor of the Athenians when Melanthos stepped forwards and said to the Beotian king:
Since when escorts are allowed in duels?
When Xanthos turned to see who followed him Melanthos prompty stabbed him!
source; Stabo

Kind regards

All is fair in love and war? :wink:

Thanks Stefanos