Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

ADVANCE LEFT IN FRONT. 121Spartans and allies, but this is not certainly known. Ilisarmy was at this time in most excellent condition and spirits,though partly composed of confederates not entirelyreliable. The Spartans and allies lay in the valley of Mantinsea.This valley lies substantially north and south, isabout twelve miles long and seven or eight wide in parts, butat the centre it narrows down to about a mile. Opposite thisnarrow place the Spartans had camped and drawn up theirline. Epaminondas was at Tegea at the southern outlet. Heproposed to march upon the enemy, who apparently werewaiting for him.This time it is quite apparent that Epaminondas had hisbattle plan as crisply wrought out in his own mind as Frederickhad his, modeled upon it, at Leuthen. He left Tegea,marching left in front, with his best troops leading and theleast reliable in the rear. He marched at first straight towardsthe Spartan camp. The enemy drew up in line tomeet him. When within two or three miles, he filed off tothe left and skirted the foothills, marching along them as ifto get in upon the Spartan right flank. His purpose was tomislead the enemy as to his intentions. The Spartans stoodin line of battle, watching his every movement. The historiesdo not state that they made a right wheel in order toface the new position of Epaminondas, but there can be littledoubt that this was what they did. It was the natural thingto do. They expected an attack, and no other theory conformswith the rest of the relation. One is often called onthus to fill a hiatus in the inconsistencies or omissions of theancient authors.The Theban Sacred Band headed the march. Epaminondashad the rest of the Thebans and Boeotians, who werebehind the Sacred Band in the column and thus formed theleft wing, so ranked by lochoi that by a simple file to the