Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/335

BATTLE OF KOEONEIA. 313 temple of Itonian Athene, where the Pamboeotia, or general Boeo- tian assemblies were held, and where there also stood the trophy erected for the great victory over Tolmides and the Athenians, about fifty years before. 1 Between the two armies there was ao great difference of numbers, except as to the peltasts, who were more numerous in the army of Agesilaus, though they do not seem to have taken much part in the battle. Having marched from Chasroneia, Agesilaus approached the plain of Koroneia from the river Kephissus, while the Thebans met him from the direction of Mount Helikon. He occupied the right wing of his army, the Orchomenians being on the left, and the Cyreians with the Asiatic allies in the centre. In the opposite line, the Thebans were on the right, and the Argeians on the left. Both armies approached slowly and in silence until they were separated only by an interval of a furlong, at which moment the Thebans on the right began the war-shout, and accelerated their march to a run, the rest of the line following their example. When they got within half a furlong of the Lacedaemonians, the centre division of the latter, under the command of Herippidas (comprising the Cyreians, with Xenophon himself, and the Asiatic allies) started forward on their side, and advanced at a run to meet them ; seemingly, getting beyond their own line, 2 and coming first to cross spears with the enemy's centre. After a sharp struggle, the division of Herippidas was here victorious, and drove back its opponents. Agesilaus, on his right, was yet more victorious, for the Argeians opposed to him, fled without even crossing spears. These fugitives found safety on the high ground of Mount Heli- kon. But on the other hand, the Thebans on their own right com- pletely beat back the Orchomenians, and pursued them so far as to get to the baggage in the rear of the army. Agesilaus, while his friends around were congratulating him as conqueror, immedi- ately wheeled round to complete his victory by attacking the The- bans ; who, on then- side also faced about, and prepared to fight their way, in close and deep order, to rejoin their comrades on Helikon. Though Agesilaus might have let them pass, and as- sailed them in the rear with greater safety and equal effect, he pre- 1 Plutarch, Agcsil. c. 19 8 Xen. llcllen. iv, 3_ 17. uvre^edpa/tov and rijf 'Avnaihuov ^aAayyof, etc. VOL. IX. 14