Page 432 all adventures, had sent forth his other Army (by their multitude at least) to give a check to the Insolency of the Enemy. Drawing up therefore in a Body together (and looking upon it a base and mean thing, below the Dignity of the Spartans so much as to think the Valour of the Beotians worthy of any regard,) without any respect had to the late League, they rashly and precipitately return'd to Leuctra: Where they found the Beotians (with great earnestness) expecting and desiring a Battle. Upon this, the Armies on both sides were drawn up in Battalia in this manner, on the part of the Lacedemonians, Cleombrotus and Archidamus the Son of Agesilaus (both descended from Hercules) Commanded the two Wings: On the other side Epaminondas Marshall'd his Army after a new and peculiar manner, by which excellent Stratagem he gain'd that glorious Victory never to be forgotten. For he chose out of the whole Army the best and strongest of the Soldiers, and plac'd them in that Wing where he himself would Command. In the other he plac'd his weaker Men, with a Command not to abide the Enemies Charge, but by a soft and slow retreat to avoid the shock. Having therefore thus order'd an oblique Phalanx, he resolv'd to try the Fortune of the Day with the other Wing under his Command. And now the Trumpets Sounded a Charge on both sides, and on first onset the Armies set up a great shout: The Lacedemonians came on with both their Wings in fashion of an half Moon: On the other hand the Beotians Retreated with one of their Wings, and charg'd fiercely on the Enemy with the other. When they came to the swords point, both Fought very desperately, and at first the Victory was very doubtful, but at length they with Epaminondas by their Valour and close Order, broke in upon the Peleponnesians, and made a great slaughter amongst them; For they were not able any longer to bear the weight of the Shock wherewith they were press'd, but some were slain downright upon the Spot, others mortally Wounded bravely receiving all their wounds upon their Breasts. As long as Cleombrotus the Lacedemonian King was alive, it was uncertain whether side would carry away the Victory, because he had a strong Body of Targateers with him, who fought resolutely in his defence. But as soon as he fell down dead, (after many wounds receiv'd and much Valour shewn on his part, tho' all ineffectual) they throng'd together about his Body where they hewn down in heaps one upon another. And now this Wing being without a leader, the Epaminondians charg'd the Lacedemonians with that fierceness that they forc'd them by degrees into disorder. However the Lacedemonians fought so bravely for the Body of their King, that at length they possess'd themselves of it, tho' they were not able to gain the Day. For those choice Bands with Epaminondas standing to it as unconquerable (encourag'd likewise both by the words and example of their Leader) the Lacedemonians at length (with much ado) began to give ground. And indeed at first they did not (to appearance) break their Order of Battle in their Retreat; but when the slaughter increas'd, and they had now no Commander to give necessary Orders, the whole Army fled outright. The Epaminondians pursu'd them close, and with the slaughter of a multitude of their Enemies gain'd a glorious Victory. For by their engaging with the most famous Warriours of Greece, and becoming Victorious with an Army far short in Number of their Enemies, they highly advanc'd the reputation of their Valour. But Epaminondas the General was judg'd worthy of the greatest Honour and Esteem, because chiefly by his Valour and Prudence he had routed those Commanders of Greece, who were never before Conquer'd. The Lacedemonians lost in this Battle no fewer then four thousand Men: Of the Beotians were kill'd about Three hundred. Afterwards they made a Truce for the burying of the Dead, and the return of the Lacedemonians into Peloponnesus. And this was the Issue of the Battel of Leuctra.
The Year following, when Dysnicetus was Praetor of Athens, and four Military Tribunes, Quintus Servilius, Lucius Furius, Caius Licinnius and Publius Clelius Executed the Consular Dignity at Rome, the Thebans march'd with a great Army against Orchomenum, with a full purpose utterly to ruin that City. But they were advis'd by Epaminondas, in regard they sought to gain the Principality of Greece, that it was their Interest to use their Victory with Moderation. Whereupon they left off their design, and receiv'd the Orchomenians as their Consederates: Afterwards they made a League with the Phoceans and Atolians, and so return'd into Beotia.
At that time Jason Prince of Pherae (whose power grew every Day) invaded Locris with a great Army, and raz'd Heraclea in Trachinia after it was betray'd into his hands, and bestow'd their Territories on the Octeans and Melieans. Thence Marching into Perrhebia, he courted some of the Cities into submission, and gain'd others by force of Arms.
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
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.