Plutarch reports that one Theban soldier, upon seeing the enemy force, said to Pelopidas “We are fallen into our enemies’ hands,” to which Pelopidas replied “And why not they into ours?”
Pelopidas then ordered the Theban cavalry to charge while the infantry formed up into an abnormally dense formation.
When the two phalanxes came together, the compact Theban formation broke through the Spartan line at the point of contact, then turned to attack the vulnerable flanks of the Spartans to either side.
The Spartan force broke and fled
This needs to be funded. I don’t care if it ends up on Netflix or Pornhub.
Also just a reminder that the Spartans were, as far as historians can tell, just “mostly okay” at military stuff for most of their history, and they were kinda bad at meaningful management of an Ancient Greek polis economy, but they were excellent at oppression, self-aggrandizement, and propaganda.
“We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem.”
"They’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us … They can’t get away this time.”
This needs to be funded. I don’t care if it ends up on Netflix or Pornhub.
Also just a reminder that the Spartans were, as far as historians can tell, just “mostly okay” at military stuff for most of their history, and they were kinda bad at meaningful management of an Ancient Greek polis economy, but they were excellent at oppression, self-aggrandizement, and propaganda.
Unironically one of my favorite historical exchanges ever. Seize the moment!
Similar to these, attributed to Chesty Puller: