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τὸ ἕτερον κέρας. The right wing as the post of honour belonged to the Spartans as leaders (ch. 28. 2; cf. vi. 111. 1 n.); the left wing is here in question. Woodhouse (J. H. S. xviii. 41) argues strongly that the story of this quarrel for precedence is an Athenian invention. The dispute, if historical, must have taken place earlier, i. e. directly the Greeks fell into position on Mount Cithaeron. Now the Athenians were probably then already on the left (ch. 21), as they succour the Megarians. Further, the Tegeans are found occupying the position next the Spartans not only here (ch. 28) but at Mantinea in 418 B. C. (Thuc. v. 71) and at Corinth in 394 B. C. (Xen. Hell. iv. 2. 19). The tactical reasons for posting the Athenians on the left as the largest single corps of hoplites (8,000) with the best archers are obvious, if we remember that the left wing was most exposed to cavalry (ch. 49).

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