Diskussion:Schlacht bei Lechaion

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Die fragliche Stelle aus Xenophons Hellenika IV,5 dürfte oder könnte folgende sein:

(326) … The Lacedaemonians were presently within range of the javelins. (327) Here a man was wounded, and there another dropped, not to rise again. Each time orders were given to the attendant shield-bearers (328) to pick up the men and bear them into Lechaeum; and these indeed were the only members of the mora who were, strictly speaking, saved. Then the polemarch ordered the ten-years-service men (329) to charge and drive off their assailants. Charge, however, as they might, they took nothing by their pains—not a man could they come at within javelin range. Being heavy infantry opposed to light troops, before they could get to close quarters the enemy’s word of command sounded “Retire!” whilst as soon as their own ranks fell back, scattered as they were in consequence of a charge where each man’s individual speed had told, Iphicrates and his men turned right about and renewed the javelin attack, while others, running alongside, harassed their exposed flank. At the very first charge the assailants had shot down nine or ten, and, encouraged by this success, pressed on with increasing audacity. These attacks told so severely that the polemarch a second time gave the order (and this time for the fifteen-years-service men) to charge. The order was promptly obeyed, but on retiring they lost more men than on the first occasion, and it was not until the pick and flower of the division had succumbed that they were joined by their returning cavalry, in whose company they once again attempted a charge. The light infantry gave way, but the attack of the cavalry was feebly enforced. Instead of pressing home the charge until at least they had sabred some of the enemy, they kept their horses abreast of their infantry skirmishers,(330) charging and wheeling side by side.…

Darin finde ich keinen Hinweis auf die Einnahme einer Stellung zur Rundumverteidigung, sondern nur auf Angriffsabbruch und Rückzug oder Ausweichen (retire). Wie Lakedaimon schreibt, igelten sich die Spartaner aber definitiv ein, was sich demnach an anderer Stelle finden muss. Immerhin drehten die Angreifer dadurch etwa zwei Drittel ihrer Kämpfer aus der Angriffsrichtung ab, und gingen in einiger Entfernung von der Haupttruppe und in Reichweite der feindlichen Fernwaffen zur Verteidigung über. Ein fragwürdiger aber beherzter Entschluss, der sicher dokumentiert ist. --Nikolaus Vocator 12:13, 26. Jun. 2008 (CEST)

• Lieber Nikolaus: Wieso endet dein Zitat genau zwei Sätze bevor kommt: "In ihrer Ausweglosigkeit zuogen sie sich enbdlich auf einen niedrigen Hügel zusammen"? Honi soit qui mal y pense --Lakedaimon 12:27, 26. Jun. 2008 (CEST)

In meiner Einfalt hatte ich den Satz Wenn die Spartaner versuchten, diese anzugreifen, überschütteten die Peltasten sie wiederum so stark mit ihren Geschossen, dass die Lakedämonier sich einigeln mussten. als Verlaufsaussage verstanden (Immer wenn…). Mir ist nicht klar gewesen, dass es sich um die Beschreibung des Endpunktes vor der Flucht handelte.

(330) …Again and again the monotonous tale of doing and suffering repeated itself, except that as their own ranks grew thinner and their courage ebbed, the courage of their assailants grew bolder and their numbers increased. In desperation they massed compactly upon the narrow slope of a hillock, distant a couple of furlongs (331) or so from the sea, and a couple of miles (332) perhaps from Lechaeum. Their friends in Lechaeum, perceiving them, embarked in boats and sailed round until they were immediately under the hillock. And now, in the very slough of despair, being so sorely troubled as man after man dropped dead, and unable to strike a blow, to crown their distress they saw the enemy’s heavy infantry advancing. Then they took to flight; some of them threw themselves into the sea; others—a mere handful—escaped with the cavalry into Lechaeum. The death-roll, including those who fell in the second fight and the final flight, must have numbered two hundred and fifty slain, or thereabouts. (333) Such is the tale of the destruction of the Lacedaemonian mora.

Insofern ist es durchaus zulässig und verständlich unlautere Absichten anzunehmen. Ich hoffe nun alles verstanden zu haben und danke für die freundliche Aufklärung. --Nikolaus Vocator 12:55, 26. Jun. 2008 (CEST)