herodotus

Erythrai, both for other reasons and because it is better watered. Tothis region then and to the spring Gargaphia, which is in this region,they resolved that they must come, and encamp in their several posts.So they took up their arms and went by the lower slopes of Kithaironpast Hysiai to the Plataian land; and having there arrived they postedthemselves according to their several nations near the springGargaphia and the sacred enclosure of Androcrates the hero, over lowhills or level ground.26. Then in the arranging of the several posts there arose acontention of much argument[25a] between the Tegeans and theAthenians; for they each claimed to occupy the other wing of thearmy[26] themselves, alleging deeds both new and old. The Tegeans onthe one hand said as follows: "We have been always judged worthy ofthis post by the whole body of allies in all the common expeditionswhich the Peloponnesians have made before this, whether in old timesor but lately, ever since that time when the sons of Heraclesendeavoured after the death of Eurystheus to return to thePeloponnese. This honour we gained at that time by reason of thefollowing event:--When with the Achaians and the Ionians who were thenin Peloponnesus we had come out to the Isthmus to give assistance andwere encamped opposite those who desired to return, then it is saidthat Hyllos made a speech saying that it was not right that the onearmy should risk its safety by engaging battle with the other, andurging that that man of the army of the Peloponnesians whom theyshould judge to be the best of them should fight in single combat withhimself on terms concerted between them. The Peloponnesians thenresolved that this should be done; and they made oath with one anotheron this condition,--that if Hyllos should conquer the leader of thePeloponnesians, then the sons of Heracles should return to theirfather's heritage; but he should be conquered, then on the other handthe sons of Heracles should depart and lead away their army, and notwithin a hundred years attempt to return to the Peloponnese. There wasselected then of all the allies, he himself making a voluntary offer,Echemos the son of Aëropos, the son of Phegeus,[27] who was ourcommander and king: and he fought a single combat and slew Hyllos. Byreason of this deed we obtained among the Peloponnesians of that time,besides many other great privileges which we still possess, this alsoof always leading the other wing of the army, when a common expeditionis made. To you, Lacedemonians, we make no opposition, but we give youfreedom of choice, and allow you to command whichever wing ye desire;but of the other we say that it belongs to us to be the leaders as informer time: and apart from this deed which has been related, we aremore worthy than the Athenians to have this post; for in many gloriouscontests have we contended against you, O Spartans, and in many alsoagainst others. Therefore it is just that we have the other wing