Today's Passage
This passage describes the Spartan response to the crisis at Tegea in 418 BCE during the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
At this juncture arrived word from their friends in Tegea that, unless they speedily appeared, Tegea would go over from them to the Argives and their allies, if it had not gone over already. Upon this news a force marched out from Lacedaemon, of the Spartans and Helots and all their people, and that instantly and upon a scale never before witnessed. Advancing to Orestheum in Maenalia, they directed the Arcadians in their league to follow close after them to Tegea, and, going on themselves as far as Orestheum, from thence sent back the sixth part of the Spartans, consisting of the oldest and youngest men, to guard their homes, and with the rest of their army arrived at Tegea; where their Arcadian allies soon after joined them. Meanwhile they sent to Corinth, to the Boeotians, the Phocians, and Locrians, with orders to come up as quickly as possible to Mantinea. These had but short notice; and it was not easy except all together, and after waiting for each other, to pass through the enemy’s country, which lay right across and blocked up the line of communication. Nevertheless they made what haste they could. Meanwhile the Lacedaemonians with the Arcadian allies that had joined them, entered the territory of Mantinea, and encamping near the temple of Heracles began to plunder the country.
Modern Translation
At this critical moment, news arrived from their allies in Tegea warning that the city would defect to the Argives and their coalition unless the Spartans appeared immediately—if indeed it hadn't already switched sides. In response, the Lacedaemonians mobilized a force of unprecedented size, comprising Spartans, Helots, and their entire population, marching out instantly. Advancing to Orestheum in Maenalia, they instructed their Arcadian allies to follow them closely to Tegea. From Orestheum, they sent back the sixth portion of their Spartan force—the oldest and youngest soldiers—to defend their homeland, while the main army proceeded to Tegea, where their Arcadian allies subsequently joined them. They also dispatched urgent summons to Corinth, the Boeotians, Phocians, and Locrians, ordering them to march with all speed to Mantinea. These allies faced considerable difficulties: the notice was short, and they could only traverse the hostile territory blocking their route by coordinating their movements and advancing together. Despite these obstacles, they hastened as best they could. Meanwhile, the Lacedaemonians, accompanied by their assembled Arcadian allies, invaded Mantinean territory and established their camp near the temple of Heracles, where they began devastating the countryside.
Historical Context
This passage describes the Spartan response to the crisis at Tegea in 418 BCE during the Peloponnesian War. The democratic alliance led by Argos threatened to overturn Spartan hegemony in the Peloponnese by winning over Tegea, a crucial ally controlling key routes. King Agis II led this massive Spartan mobilization, which Thucydides emphasizes was unprecedented in scale. The strategic importance lay in preventing the collapse of Sparta's alliance system in the Peloponnese, which would have isolated Sparta and potentially ended its dominance. This campaign culminated in the Battle of Mantinea, one of the largest hoplite battles in Greek history, where Sparta's victory restored its position but failed to crush the democratic movement entirely. The passage illustrates Sparta's military efficiency and the complex alliance networks that characterized Greek warfare.
Annotations & References
Spartan Military Organization
The division of forces, sending back the oldest and youngest, reflects Sparta's sophisticated military system. The 'sixth part' likely refers to one of the six morai (divisions) of the Spartan army, showing their ability to calibrate force deployment based on strategic needs while maintaining homeland defense.
Learn more →Helots in Warfare
The inclusion of Helots in this unprecedented mobilization highlights their military importance. Despite being enslaved, Helots served as light troops and support personnel, and their participation in this critical campaign shows Sparta's total commitment to preventing Tegea's defection.
Learn more →Greek Alliance Systems
The passage illustrates the complexity of Greek alliance networks. Sparta's need to coordinate with multiple allies (Arcadians, Corinthians, Boeotians, Phocians, Locrians) while facing geographical obstacles demonstrates how military campaigns required diplomatic as well as logistical expertise.
Learn more →Sacred Space in Warfare
The Spartans' camp near the temple of Heracles shows how religious sites served as military landmarks. Temples provided recognizable rally points and their sacred status might offer some protection, though the Spartans immediately began ravaging the surrounding territory.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Xenophon: Hellenica (Book 5.2.1-7)
Xenophon describes similar Spartan emergency mobilizations, showing their rapid response capabilities and the involvement of allies. His account provides insight into Spartan military efficiency and command structure.
Read passage →Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (Book 12.78-79)
Diodorus provides an account of the Mantinea campaign, offering different details about troop numbers and the political situation, helping to corroborate and supplement Thucydides' narrative.
Read passage →Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (Chapter 15)
Plutarch discusses the broader context of Argive-Athenian cooperation against Sparta, explaining the democratic alliance that threatened Spartan hegemony and prompted this emergency response.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- What does the unprecedented scale of Spartan mobilization reveal about their perception of the threat posed by Tegea's potential defection?
- How does the geographical challenge faced by Sparta's northern allies illustrate the strategic importance of controlling key cities and routes in ancient Greek warfare?
- What can we infer about Spartan society from their ability to mobilize 'all their people' including Helots while still maintaining homeland defense?
- How does this passage demonstrate the fragility of Greek alliance systems and the constant need for military intervention to maintain hegemony?