Page 421 with them. But Chabrias the General, with the Forces sent from Athens, wasted and spoil'd the Country of the Hestreians, and wall'd Metropolis (as 'tis call'd) situated upon a Hill naturally fortify'd, and left there a Garison; and he himself sail'd to the Cyclade Islands, and reduc'd Peparethus and Sciathus, and others Subject to the Lacedaemonians:
When the Lacedaemonians saw that they could not put a stop to the Defection of their Confederates, they laid aside their Severity, and took other Measures to win the Cities by more gentle Methods: And by this means they gain'd upon those of their Confederates that were yet left. And because they discern'd that the War was coming on apace, and that great care was requir'd for the management of their Affairs, among other Preparations they diligently apply'd themselves to put their Army into a better posture, and more aptly to dispose of their Troops and Regiments, and to have their Forts and Garisons more faithfully kept and secur'd: For they divided their Cities and Soldiers, rais'd there for the present War, into Ten parts: The first were Lacedaemonians; the second and third, Arcadians; the fourth, Eleans; the fifth, Acheans; the sixth, Corinthians and Megareans; the seventh, Sicyons, Phliasians, and Acteans; the eighth, Acarnanians; the ninth, Phocians and Locrians; the last, Olinthians and Confederates of Thrace. The manner and way of their Order and Marshalling was thus: One Corsleteer, or heavy-arm'd Soldier, was accounted equal to two lightly arm'd; and one Horseman to four heavy-arm'd Footmen. The Army thus dispos'd, King Agesilaus was made Generalissimo; for he was famous both for his Valour and Prudence, and never had been worsted in any Encounter to that very time: For as he was highly admir'd in other Wars, so in the War by the Lacedaemonians against the Persians, he routed Armies far greater than his own, and bore down all before him, wasting and spoiling a great part of Asia; and if the Spartans had not call'd him home (through the Urgency of Affairs in his own Country) he had not been far from ruining the whole Kingdom of Persia: For he was a Man very brisk and daring, and yet withal prudent, addicting himself to Great and Noble Actions; and therefore the Spartans (when the greatness of the War requir'd a Skilful Commander) chose him to be General above all others.
Upon which, Agesilaus enter'd Boeotia with above Eighteen thousand Foot, amongst whom were five Regiments of Lacedaemonians, every Regiment consisting of Five hundred. The Lacedaemonian Band call'd the Scirite, join'd not with the rest of the Army; but kept their proper Post round about the King, and always were ready to succour that part that was most prest upon. And because it was made up of the best Soldiers, it was of the greatest Esteem of any part of the Army, and most commonly instrumental to the gaining of every Victory. Besides the Foot before mention'd, Agesilaus had with him Fifteen hundred Horse. As soon as he came to Thespis (a Lacedaemonian Garison) he encamp'd near the City, to refresh his Army after their long March.
When the Athenians heard that the Lacedaemonians had enter'd into Baectia, they forthwith sent Five thousand Foot and Two hundred Horse to the Aid of Thebes. The Thebans having muster'd and rendezvous'd their Forces, possess'd themselves of a Hill which ran out a great length, distant twenty Stages from the City, and posted themselves there for the advantage of the Ground (being difficult of access) and there waited for the Enemy: For the great Reputation of Agesilaus did so terrifie them, that they durst not engage with him upon equal Terms in the open Field. Agesilaus now advances with his Forces against the Boeotians; as soon as he came near the Enemy (to make trial whether they had a mind to fight) he sent out against them some light-arm'd Men, which were soon beaten back by the Thebans from the higher Ground: Upon which (to strike them with the more Terror) he drew out his whole Army in Battalia upon them. Whereupon Chabrias the Athenian, Commander of the Mercenaries, order'd the Soldiers to appear in a posture of Defiance to the Lacedaemonians; and to that end to stand in their Ranks and Orders, with their Shields laid down at their Feet, and with their Spears advanced, so to present themselves to the view of the Enemy, which they obey'd at the first Word of Command. Agesilaus admiring their excellent Order, and their Contempt of their Enemies, thought it not safe to attempt to force up those steep Places. and to try their Valour at such Disadvantages, having experienc'd, that by violent pressing upon them, they would be necessitated to stand it out to the utmost extremity. Therefore he did all he could to provoke them to descend into the Plain; but when he could not get them to stir, he sent out a Phalanx of Foot, and a Party of light Horse, and wasted and spoiled the Country without controul, and got together abundance of Prey and Plunder. But those that were order'd to attend upon Agesilaus as his Council, and the Colonels and Captains of the Regiments wondering that he being ever accounted a valiant Man, and a good Soldier, and now furnish'd with an Army far stronger than the
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Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.