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

TRAINING OF THE SOLDIER. 31on the plan suggested by Nestor. And the army was marshaledon occasion in several lines ; as, for instance, thechariots in first, and the foot in second line. To attack theGreek intrenchments. Hector divided the Trojans into fivetroops, so that success should not depend on one attack alone.Here is the crude idea of a reserve, as it were. Aristidesnames Palamedes, who was at Troy, as the inventor of tactics; but Nestor must evidently share the honor. The onething which interfered with the successful use of tactics wasthe prolonged dueling part of the fray between the heroes ofboth sides.Of art in their warfare there was barely a trace.It was only in the tenth year, after heavy fighting, that Troywas taken, and it was without a siege, inthe sense we understandit.From the time of the Trojan war till the sixth centuryB. c. the Grecian states made gradual advances in militaryorganization.The warrior's was the highest duty in the state,as well as the precious privilege of the freeman. Keligion,education and public games combined to train the youth towar. Religion taught that heroes became demi-gods ; educationwas almost entirely confined to atldetic and warlikeexercises, training in patience and endurance, theinculcationof respect for superiors and elders and the love of country ;public games afforded the bravest, strongest and most expertan occasion of exhibiting their skill and prowess, and of earninghonor and repute. Chariot and horse races and atldeticgames monopolized these ceremonies. The latter comprisedrunning, leaping obstacles, wrestling, throwing the lance anddiscus, boxing, the pancratium or boxing and wrestlingmixed, and the pentathlium or an exercise combining all theothers. The prizes were as a rule mere evidences of honor,but these were held to be far beyond material reward. Anoted victor had statues erected, inscriptions cut and hymns