Hey people I'm back from my exile. While I was away I wrote some new chapters while life went on. For those who haven't read this I highly advise you to read the prologue and first chapter.
This historical war story is 85% true and 15% fiction, but before you ask I will leave you the task of finding out what is fact and what is fiction in the story. Also there will be some maps in the following chapters, but I have to admit I had to battle with Google and Photobucket to get them uploaded. Anyway without further ado.....enjoy the chapter!
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Chapter 2: The March To War!
The next day the naval fleet of Corcyra and Athens offered battle to Corinth, their confidence restored after surviving the first day of battle. But they refused; Corinth fearing a major Athenian fleet was nearby. Corinth and her allies knowing too well that the Athenians were stronger and experienced when it came to the sea. However their navy managed to slip away, but the Athenian naval commanders decided not to track the armada. There reason why was that if they did track and attack the enemy, then it could persuade Sparta to declare war on Athens. In addition another reason was that Athens had managed to defend Corcyra.
After the battle of Sybota, Athens was sure that Corinth was eager to persuade their allies in the Peloponnesian League to help them. While Lacedaimonius and the naval fleet were sailing to Corcyra, Athens began to conserve their coffers in case open war did break out. After Sybota it became inevitable that Athens would be embroiled in war with Corinth. Pericles, the dominant politician of Athens, known as the first citizen of the city moved fast. He began to consolidate Athenian territories and zones of influence in Sicily, Italy and Northwest Greece. However two incidents would make sure that war would be the only course.
The first flashpoint was at Potidaea that was based east of Thessaly across the Thermaic Gulf in the Northern Aegean. Potidaea was allied to Athens, but their mother colonists were Corinth, which the residents had good relations with. Athens were worried that it was possible for the men of Potidaea might revolt. If so, they could get assistance from the Macedonians to the northwest and across the Chalcidice region. If Potidaea and the Chalcidice cities were to fall it could be the start of a domino effect across the vast Athenian Empire.
During the autumn/winter of 433/432 the Athenian delegation sent out an ultimatum in the assurance it didn’t violate the Thirty Years Peace made after the First Peloponnesian War and would not worry Sparta. The ultimatum had two main points to Potidaea, which asked them to: Pull down the walls that defended the city from a naval attack and send back Corinthian magistrates who were anti-Athenian. Potidaea flatly refused and under the influence of Corinth was on the verge of rebellion. Athens sent a force to deal with the rebelling Potidaeans, but another incident threatened to inflame the situation.
This was the Megarian decree and like the Athenian/Corcyraean alliance was one of Pericles’ policies. This was an embargo (enforced and voted by the assembly while the Athenian ultimatum was sent to Potidaea) where the city-state of Megara was banned from the ports of any state within the Athenian Empire. This action was taken so to punish Megara for siding with Corinth and fielding men, supplies and ships during the battles of Leucimne and Sybota. Pericles was sure of peace for two reasons.
Firstly Pericles would hope that the oligarchic (dictatorial form of government) factions in Megara would suffer from the barring of trade with Athens. He hoped they would think twice before fielding a force against Athens. Secondly Pericles was a good friend with the Spartan king Archidamus. He was the only Spartan ruler in office for his co-king Pleistoanax had been sent into exile in 445.
Pleistoanax had been sent to exile by the ephors for taking bribes, so to withdraw from the plains of Attica that led up to Athens during the First Peloponnesian War. Pericles was hopeful Archidamus wanted peace and the king would try to persuade the Spartan assembly that war was not the best option. By late May 432 Potidaea had rebelled, but Athens had sent a force that had beaten off a volunteer force of Corinthians and mercenaries from the Peloponnesian region. In June they had surrounded Potidaea, with the rebellious city prepared for a siege.
Corinth and Megara put pressure on Sparta so they could air their grievances in an assembly. However by July the five ephors of Sparta called a meeting in the Spartan assembly or
apella. They wanted to hear the city-states that had been dealt harshly by Athens to have their voice heard. Athenian agents had told Pericles of this and sent an unofficial delegation that was meant to be on other business to be present at this assembly meeting. However before this meeting Sparta was deeply divided on what to do. They felt this meeting would determine the assembly along with the gerousia known as the council of elders on what action Sparta would take.
*****
July 432
The Agora
Sparta, Laconia
*****
It was a bright summer’s day, as the meeting of the apella at the magnificent Agora was taking place in the grand city of Sparta. Throughout the agora many men were in attendance sitting in an oval arena, with the attending citizens and speakers numbering in the hundreds. At the northern part of the Agora there were the gerousia: thirty men who were elected from the aristocratic nobles and citizens of Sparta.
Two of the gerousia were elected kings, as one would go to war while the other would rule Sparta. The other twenty-eight men were of elderly age, as also were the ephors. The five ephors were officials that were elected once every year. They upheld the rule of the two Spartan kings and could put the king on trial if a law was breached and implement punishment like they had done to King Pleistoanax. Now Archidamus was the sole Spartan King bearing the responsibility and burden of two kings. Most of the ephors, gerousia and kings were from the two royal houses: the Agiad and Eurypontid.
As morning turned into afternoon the apella was in special session, with the city state members of the Spartan Alliance telling their grievances to the men of Sparta. However the Athenians had their representative who had been diverted from other commitments so to calm down Spartan worries and stop Corinthian war mongering. The Megarians had finished their case in front of the Spartan apella and gave basically a polemic rant against Athenian policies. They vented their fury, declaring because of Pericles’ decree, trade had been severely reduced, with the coffers running low and their people suffering badly.
Corinth knew Megara were eager for Sparta to commit their army and subjects in the Peloponnesian League against the Athenian Empire. Corinth figured that they would exploit this and had sent Atticus to the assembly: the same, sneaky, bitter man who was deeply hostile to Athens, especially after Pericles had played a highly influential role with Athens’ alliance to Corcyra. As he was called to the floor he gave a look of subtle hatred to the Athenian delegates that screamed out: you will pay for helping Corcyra.
“My king, nobles and citizens of Sparta,” he began, bowing to the gerousia and the attending men in the apella. “For years you have been respected for your military code, but also your traditional view of prudence and reluctance to fight in wars unless it is the last resort. He walked towards the ephors and gerousia so to emphasize his next points.
“That tradition has served you well, but I fear it won’t in the future when faced with the tyranny of Athens. While you are reluctant they are quick to devise new plans of conquest, executing their ideas with such efficiency it is alarming. They would rather have war than peace for it is in their nature to neither enjoy peace or to allow the ending of war among other city states,” While Atticus paused he could see that some of his rhetoric was beginning to have an effect for the men of Sparta were pondering his words.
“Sparta must come to the aid of Potidaea against the despicable foe or you will betray your friends and fellow kin to some other alliance that could inflict grave danger upon you,” He bowed courteously and walked back to his seat. He could see the agora was stunned in silence. Although Atticus did not mention the word defection or betrayal his argument did mean that what would follow if no aid came to Potidaea. After the turn of Elis and Boeotia to speak it then came to Athens. Atticus looked acidly at the man who looked no more than thirty began to speak to the apella.
“Fellow men of Sparta,” the Athenian said to which Atticus sneered and proceeded to whisper into the man’s ear next to him.
“He has no chance of persuading the assembly,” he whispered to Snafus, a fellow Corinthian who had fought in the hoplite regiments. “They will probably declare war on Athens and a quick victory will be imminent,” Snafus, a man who oozed hatred gave a smirk, as they turned to see the remainder of the Athenian’s speech.
“…The empire has grown through just means. It was forged after a series of necessities like blocking any intentions of a hostile force, to stop the terror, as well as fear from our citizens and subjects throughout the territories. It was also created through honour and to an extent self interest, but matters that the men of Sparta should understand,” Now it was the Athenian who paused, as the Spartans murmured and instead of showing contempt they expressed looks of reluctant agreement.
“We do not want war and all disputes from Corinth, Megara or any other state can be resolved by diplomatic meditation. Let us use our minds of peace and not of the spear. For if you do refuse the way of peace we will take vengeance on those who wanted to seek war,” His tone seemed to be conciliatory, giving the intention of peace, but also of the warning that the full might of Athens will be unleashed to their foe. The Athenian bowed and walked back to where he had sat. Then an elderly man stood up from where the ephors and gerousia were to address the apella.
“We request to the foreign dignitaries to withdraw from the apella so we can conclude on our decision,” All non-Spartans stood up and proceeded to leave the arena and waited outside. After a few moments when the foreign delegations had left the debate immediately began.
“I say we go to war!” roared a dark haired man in his forties. Most of the men shouted in full agreement. Another man stood up to air his view.
“Our armies, although not as plenty unlike fifty summers ago when the Persians invaded these lands, are professional and will smash Athens till they sue for peace!” More yells of approval reigned across the Agora.
However, the gerousia and ephors remained unmoved, as they just quietly absorbed the Spartans' desire to fight Athens. Then, as the shouts and demands for war became ever louder, King Archidamus, who had graying hair, a flowing beard and in his sixties, raised his hand for the deafening clamoring to cease.
“Although you are keen for war, and is true that our army is renowned for our strength and military code,” he said, his deep voice reaching towards those at the far ends of the Agora. “The city of Athens is different to those states that we have faced before and is different to when the Persians last threatened our lands. If we do go to war then we would face an enemy with strong walls, their wealth numbering in thousands of talents and a naval empire forged from the strong iron grip of the seas. If war is declared, my friends, then we will pass this war to our children!” A significant amount of the apella that had bayed for Athenian blood now realized the enormity of the task they faced.
“We shall send an official complaint to Athens,” he proposed to which he raised his hands up when the assembly screamed in disgust, in the hope of silence. “We shall send an official complaint, but at the same time prepare for war in case meditation fails. If we attack the Athenians now we will be hard pressed for victory. If mediation fails by the next summer then we go to war knowing our army and fleet will have been reinforced,” Then suddenly an ephor by the name of Sthenelaidas stood up.
“That Athenian speaker who said that they praise themselves highly on having an empire blatantly shows that they do not deny they are oppressing our Peloponnesian allies,” Everyone gave a hearty cheer in agreement. “They may have a well trained fleet, an large army and an empire, but our allies are loyal to us and we must not betray the city of Potidaea to the Athenians,” Archidamus knew that the whole apella were agreeing with Sthenelaidas’ blunt view.
“So I say to you, Spartans!” he roared, pumping his clenched fist in the air. “Vote for war in a manner worthy of Sparta! We must not allow the Athenians to become stronger as they are now, or they will absorb the whole of Greece. Do not betray your allies, and with the help of the gods, let us march out against those who do wrong!” The Spartans were cheering madly, as they were whipped into a frenzy of war and anti Athenian sentiment. Archidamus was resigned to take a vote, as the whole apella were now demanding war.
“We will take a division and vote on whether we go to war,” said the king. “All against a declaration of war against Athens?” There was not a sound to be made.
“All those in favour?” Everyone shouted in unison, showing unanimous approval.
“The motion is carried that Athens has broken the peace. War is declared,” said the king to which all the Spartans cheered madly.
*****
There was no fighting for seven months, because the Spartans sent three envoys, with Archidamus hopeful of trying to find a peace solution with Athens. However Pericles refused, so throughout those seven months a state of war existed, but no offensives had taken place. That was because both the Spartan Alliance and the Athenians were too busy conducting strategies. It was common fact that Sparta’s army was superior overall against Athens. The assembly’s focus was on trying to lure the hoplites of Athens onto an open plain where hopefully a damaging Athenian defeat would conclude the conflict. However if that did not happen then they would be confident that they could invade Attica. The objective would be to ravage the territories, destroying Athenian supplies, either bringing an open battle or an Athenian surrender. Sparta was sure that this tactic would bring swift victory with small losses.
But inside Athens a different strategy began to foster that would go against the traditions of normal Greek warfare where one or two battles would decide the war. Pericles who was in his mid sixties devised a defensive plan where they could use their vast navy to bring in supplies from the lands across the Aegean and Black Sea. Although the lands of Attica were likely to be ravaged by the Peloponnesian armies in the summer, the Athenians had made plans.
It consisted of building the formidable Long Walls, which linked the city of Athens to their naval base at Piraeus to the west. Their superior navy would then be used to harass the Peloponnesian coastal areas and force Sparta to realise that they could not breach the Long Walls. Some Athenians ridiculed this plan as a violation of Greek warfare and even called it cowardly. But such was the prestige of Pericles that the assembly at the Pnyx approved the plan.
However Sparta was powerful and there were many subject allies and states in the alliance. It consisted of Megara to the northeastern frontier of Sparta and Locrians and Phocians in Central Greece. To the west were the Corinthian colonies of Ambracia, Leucas and Anactorium. In Italy they had alliances with Locri and the colony at Taras. While in Sicily they were allied to all the Dorian cities apart from Camarina. In addition they were allied with the major city-state in Sicily, which was Syracuse.
*A map of Greece, Western Asia Minor and the Hellespont.
But the main alliance was with Boeotia in Central Greece that included the Thebans who were renowned for their excellent hoplites. Sparta’s army including their allies numbered around forty-forty five thousand strong, while Athens could only muster twenty-thirty thousand men. Pericles knew that going out to meet them in the open plain was suicidal, so their best hope was with the navy and their treasury.
The Athenian coffers by 431 were vast. The annual income numbered around a thousand talents, which four hundred came from revenue internally and the rest from their empire in tribute. Although six hundred talents were not enough to sustain her army and fleet for one year alone they would have to dip into their treasury. Overall the treasury amount had six thousand talents and five hundred in un-coined gold and silver.
They could also raise another fifty talents if they melted down the gold in the Acropolis or statue of Athena. In terms of currency there were six thousand drachmas in a talent, which one drachma was a day’s pay for a craftsman, while one obol was an sixth of a drachma. One talent was the monthly pay of a naval crew. The Athenians were immensely proud of its empire and it was largely created thanks to its navy, which symbolised Athens' greatness.
Its fleet would play a big role if they were to win the war. In her harbours and ports the Athenian navy numbered at three hundred Athenian ships before the first attack in March 431. Her autonomous allies in the form of Corcyra, along with Lesbos and Chios (that were based in the islands off Western Asia Minor) could bring in a hundred ships if called upon. Sparta and her allies had just one hundred ships overall and their crews were no match for the experienced, well drilled and battle hardened Athenians.
The siege at Potidaea however began to drain at least two hundred talents by March, for the defenders were bravely holding off Athenian attacks. Thirty Athenian ships were manning the vital island of Euboea to the east of Athens and a further seventy were at Potidaea. However Pericles’ strategy would be able to last for only three years till the coffers ran out where Pericles’ hoped that they would be peace. But by March 431 the first clash was not in the lands of Athens or at Sparta, but in Plataea.
*****
It was a dark cloudy night, as dawn neared on the outskirts of Plataea: a small town with a thousand citizens, ranging from free men, women and slaves. The settlement was located just under three leagues southwest of the main city-state in Boeotia: Thebes. While the town lay silent, the small sound of footsteps could be heard, as three hundred Thebans walked slowly towards Plataea. They reached the northern approach to the town, just half a league away from the outskirts. At the front of the silent force was a man named Eurymaches. He was a tall politician, thirty-four years old, and had an imposing figure. Eurymaches was influential with the ruling assembly at Thebes. As they neared the town he turned around, signalling the force to split the force on both sides of the road. When they completed their maneuver the order was given to halt, as they crouched taking a well-earned rest.
Eurymaches felt his raiding contingent deserved a break, because they had marched in the evening from the outskirts of Thebes. However in reserve a much larger force numbering a thousand were a few leagues away from the Asopus River. The river was the border between Thebes and Plataea. Eurymaches had been ordered to take the town in the form of a surprise nighttime attack. They would have support from the reserve Theban army north of the river if they encountered heavy resistance. Eurymaches could find many reasons why Plataea had to be captured.
Firstly Athens had defeated Thebes in battle at the last Peloponnesian War, establishing a string of democratic governments along most of the towns in Boeotia, including Plataea. The Thebans had a long border with Athens, stretching many leagues. The oligarchic assembly at Thebes immediately could see Plataea was a crucial strategic position. Plataea was situated near the Thebes-Athens road. But more importantly the town was located near a road heading towards Megara that did not go through Athenian territory. Therefore Eurymaches quickly figured out Plataea had to be taken so to transport troops and supplies from the Peloponnesian region.
Secondly if Athens or her allies held the town it could be used, as a staging post for attacks on Boeotia and Thebes. In addition the Athenians could stop any Theban army attempting to enter Attica from the north. Therefore while Athens were preparing for the inevitable Spartan invasion in the summer, it presented the Thebans a perfect opportunity to capture Plataea. As Eurymaches took off his Corinthian helmet, checking his xiphos and doru were in good condition, they heard a twig snap ahead of them. Immediately the Thebans took up defensive positions.
“Eurymaches!” came a hissing voice. The politician sighed, telling his men to stand down.
“We’re here, Nauclides,” he said. “Just a few paces up ahead,” The footsteps became louder and a tall man came into full view. He wore a brown tunic, but with breastplate armour. He had a short sword, not much smaller than the xiphos in his scabbard. Behind him were four other men all wearing the same thing.
“You’re late,” sneered Eurymaches. “I thought you were meeting us here alone?” The politician looked at the other men that were behind Nauclides.
“Don’t worry,” replied one of the men. “We were rounding up our supporters. I’ve had assurances from the nobility in Plataea. When your men arrive they will kill all the guards and democratic politicians in the pay of Athens. That way the citizens of Plataea will not revolt.” A grin came about all of the traitors at the notion of the democratic politicians being put to death.
“That’s out of the question!” Eurymaches snarled. “When the town is taken we will leave them be. Killing people for the sake of it will cause revolt. Your job is to lead us into the city, or do you want the men of Plataea to know of your dealings with us?” That soon silenced the traitors, knowing if the plot were uncovered it would mean immediate death of them and their families.
“Very well,” the politician nodded. “Follow us,” Soon the force was up and moving slowly cautiously marching into the town. They could see the houses up ahead, as the guides led them into the city. The sun would rise up soon and Eurymaches wanted to get this attack executed quickly and smoothly. As they reached the northern area of the town there were looks of worry and suspicion upon Theban soldiers. There was just one road leading to the town and houses flanked the Thebans. Everything seemed eerily quiet: too quiet for Eurymaches’ liking.
“Are you sure that you’ve persuaded a good amount of your fellow people to join your cause?” he asked, as the raiding soldiers began to enter deep into the town.
“Of course I’m sure,” whispered Nauclides. Now they entered the area, which was a quarter of a league till they reached the centre of the town, where the democratic politicians lived nearby. Eurymaches turned around and saw the Theban soldiers were looking even more worried and with good reason. They couldn’t see any corpses of guards or soldiers indicating whether Nauclides’ supporters had achieved their job.
As Eurymaches tried to locate any possible ambushes by the enemy, he could see small alleyways on both sides. The width of these alleyways at best could fit only two people. As they reached one hundred paces from the town centre they saw at least two hundred men in full battle gear come into view blocking the road. The Thebans had walked blindly into a trap.
“Get into formation!” Eurymaches roared, the men forming into three lines. Their doru spears firmly facing the enemy, with the spear gripped in every soldier’s right hand while the bronze shield was on their left. This meant a soldier could protect the fellow soldier’s right flank. They moved forward slowly so not to disorganize the line. While the Thebans marched forward Eurymaches thought he could see movement on top of the houses on their flanks. What made things even worse was that a large clap of thunder had erupted and it now began to rain heavily.
The enemy force ahead of them now charged at full pace, screaming wildly at their foe, as they clattered into the Thebans. Eurymaches at the forefront of the force pushed his spear forward and caught the throat of his foe. As he wrenched his weapon out blood splattered across his helmet, as the soldier fell to his death. The fighting was bitter, many Plataeans trying to use their swords and spears to break the doru in half and splinter what made the phalanx so deadly: their excellent use of the spear.
After a few minutes the Thebans were slowly pushing them back with their shields. When the order was shouted out, simultaneously the hoplites at the front pushed their spears forward killing many soldiers, who fell among the piling dead in the wet, bloodstained road.
However when it seemed the Thebans were gaining the upper hand the Plataeans played their trump card. Suddenly a horn was sounded somewhere behind the Plataean line. Suddenly tens of men and women came out from the top of the houses on the flanks carrying javelins, arrows and rocks. Eurymaches, who was at the middle of the phalanx taking a rest, saw this ploy and was dismayed. At once the Plataeans along the houses threw their projectiles into the right hand side where the hoplites were so vulnerable.
The first volley was devastating, as the arrows pierced the neck where there was no protection, and tens of men fell to their deaths. The second volley had less effect, as the Thebans were now aware of the danger. Their round bronze shields absorbed most of the missiles. Eurymaches became annoyed over this ambush that were killing his men.
He had great difficulty locating the enemy on the rooftops, due to the rain. As he squinted his eyes saw a good portion of men heading away towards the Theban rear. Eurymaches remembered the alleyway he saw behind them before the ambush was made and knew exactly what the enemy were trying to achieve. He called out for Halides, who was a gifted runner and had represented Thebes in the Olympiad.
“Halides, go towards the river and tell them we need help now!” he shouted. The young runner nodded and turned on his heels, running north towards the outskirts of the city. However, what Eurymaches did not see was an archer on the rooftop who could see Halides sprinting away. The Plataean took out an arrow from his quiver, drew back his bow, took aim and released. The arrow whistled through the horrendous weather and – due to the wind - swerved right, piercing the runner’s left thigh. Halides screamed out in pain, tripped onto a puddle and fell flat on his face. He quickly broke off the arrowhead, moaning in agony as he pulled the missile from his muscle. He tried to run, gritting his teeth in pain, because he was determined to carry out the order he had been given.
Meanwhile the archer took out another arrow from his quiver, judged the wind and distance, and pulled back the bow. This time the arrow glided through the air and lodged straight through Halides' neck. The young Olympian gurgled but no sound came out. He fell to his knees, then onto his face upon the wet ground. As the rain lashed down upon Plataea Eurymaches knew that a phalanx that were engaged in the front and taking missiles from the flanks were in serious danger of being overwhelmed. There was only one thing to do.
“Sound the retreat!” he barked. The order was relayed and within moments the Theban raiding force pulled back, hoping to reach the safety of the river. While the raiding force fled they were being pelted by missiles on the flanks and pursued by the Plataeans from behind. As Eurymaches retreated they were shocked to see hundreds of men and women block their line of retreat. They were surrounded. It was at this point in the lashing wind and rain that most of the Thebans dropped their weapons, putting their hands up in surrender. Eurymaches looked around to assess whether to fight on, as he gripped his weapon tightly. But when he saw the deteriorating situation the politician dropped his spear and shield.
A few hours later in the middle of the day the Theban prisoners marched to an open plain just a few hundred paces south of the town. They had been stripped of their armour, helmets and weapons. Those who had suffered serious wounds in the battle had been forced to march regardless of their plight. As they walked Eurymaches had counted up to one hundred twenty men slain. At least a quarter of those who remained alive were wounded, their injuries ranging from light to serious. Many of the men were also disgruntled, because their hands were bound tightly.
When they reached the open rocky plain the prisoners were ordered to sit down. The guards gave them bread and water to which the Thebans gave thanks, although they found it difficult to eat for their hands was tied. As they tried to eat the Plataeans had formed a circle just two hundred paces away, surrounding the disarmed soldiers so to make sure no one escaped. The rain had stopped with the sun shining brightly at the warmest part of the day.
“What do you think they’ll do to us?” asked Xiphilinus, an able officer in the Theban army who sat next to him. Eurymaches took a swig of water, finding it hard with his bound hands, before he answered the question.
“I don’t know,” he replied. “They’ll probably hold us until we are paid for by our assembly or when this war ends. The worst scenario is that we could be here for a few months or maybe a year if we’re unlucky,”
“Where do you think Argon and his army got to?” asked a soldier. “They were meant to help us if we got into trouble,” The silence that followed meant that they did not know why Argon’s far superior regiment did not come to the rescue. After the Thebans had surrendered Eurymaches saw the body of Halides, as they were detained. But that still didn’t answer the question of where Argon’s force was.
What Eurymaches did not know was that the Asopus River had swelled to a height where any crossing on the fordable parts of the Asopus was impossible. When scouts did move across they had seen Eurymaches’ force surrendering. When Argon heard the news he took the decision to pull back, because Athens would have heard of this and send troops to reinforce Plataea. What Eurymaches also didn’t know was Nauclides and his traitorous group of plotters had been brutally killed along with their families.
As the prisoners ate and talked about what would happen to them they did not see the Plataean guards being reinforced by one hundred men. After a few minutes some of the prisoners including Eurymaches could see the increase in guards and became slightly suspicious. Then a soldier barked out an order and the men forming the circle began to move forward. Murmurs of confusion came across the huddled Thebans who were still sat on the plain.
“What’s happening, Lycos?” Eurymaches asked the young hoplite. Lycos’ eyes were young and could see great distances better than Eurymaches. He squinted and what he saw made his blood run cold.
“Arch-Archers!” He stammered, as he turned to Eurymaches. The prisoners looked around, seeing that as the Plataeans edged to one hundred fifty paces they could see the quivers along with the bow. Panic then filtered across the group, trying to stand up. When the archers saw the prisoners trying to stand up the order was relayed to draw their arrows from the quiver. It was done efficiently and within moments two hundred and fifty men were aiming their arrows towards the Thebans, who were beginning to run.
“Loose!” came the order. At once black arrows were released into the sky, as they descended onto the prisoners. The Thebans began to break off into different directions. The first volley took out half of the captives, men screaming as the black arrowheads pierced them. Eurymaches roared loudly in pain, as an arrow hit his arm. But he was shocked to see Lycos with three arrows lodged across his torso. Immediately the archers jogged to within one hundred and twenty paces forward, while the Thebans fell to their deaths.
The order was given to let loose another volley, which the missiles were released in a horizontal direction, instead of releasing it upwards. This time the effect was as deadly like the last volley to which more men fell to the ground. Now only five men were left. Eurymaches and Xiphilinus were two of the brave five, knowing death was near.
“So this is the end then, friend?” smiled Xiphilinus.
“Indeed it is,” Eurymaches replied, giving a grim smile.
“Then it has been an honour to fight with you,” said Xiphilinus.
“The same goes to all of you men,” he replied to the four men who gave an appreciative nod. All around there were moaning Thebans that wept in pain, as Hades slowly approached them. Then hundreds of arrows were released into the sky to end their suffering.
“I’ll meet you in Hades,” said Xiphilinus.
“In Hades,” smiled Eurymaches, as the arrows veered towards them. Within moments the massacre of the Thebans was complete. What the captives didn’t know was that an Athenian herald was heading towards Plataea a few leagues south of the town. He bore a letter from Pericles and the assembly. It ordered the protection of the prisoners where they would be used as hostages to Thebes. An hour later the messenger arrived only to see he was too late. This was the first of numerous atrocities that would stain this brutal and callous war. It would ignore the entrenched and honorable code of Greek warfare that the states of Greece had abided by for many years.
General Rawlinson- This is most unsatisfactory. Where are the Sherwood Foresters? Where are the East Lancashires on the right?
Brigadier-General Oxley- They are lying out in No Man's Land, sir. And most of them will never stand again.
Two high ranking British generals discussing the fortunes of two regiments after the disastrous attack at Aubers Ridge on the 9th May 1915.[This message has been edited by Legion Of Hell (edited 03-23-2009 @ 11:28 AM).]