victorious army, the second will be awarded by that general to the man he believes was the most valiant of his men. Generals, take up your positions!’
The groups marched off, armed with shields and clubs. Parmenion turned to the men waiting patiently behind him. ‘Look at the weapons,’ he said. There were clubs and shields, but beyond them ten-foot-long staves left in a ragged pile.
Theo called his men together at the western edge of the field. ‘The most dangerous group will be led by Achillas,’ he told the warriors. ‘He is closer to Petar than to us. We will march across the field towards them, but hold back as they clash, then we will hit the victor.’
‘What about the Spartan?’ Gaelan asked.
‘You’ve seen the men he has,’ Theo answered. ‘We’ll keep a watch on him. I think he will also hang back.’
Achillas’ group was the first to move and, as Theo suspected, they angled directly towards the men with Petar. With a great shout they surged forward, clashing with the enemy, clubs cracking against shield and skull. One of Petar’s men broke through, racing at Achillas, who leapt back from a blow and then cracked his club against the warrior’s chin, stunning him. Petar fell under a series of hits. But then Theo and his group charged in, taking Achillas from the rear. The warrior tried to seek refuge behind his men, but Theo leapt at him, bearing him to the ground.
The Spartan!’ yelled Gaelan. Theo rolled to his feet.
‘Back!’ he ordered his men. Pulling out of the melee, his group locked shields and watched the Spartan approach. His smaller group was also in tight formation.
‘Do we charge them?’ asked Gaelan.
‘Wait!’ replied Theo.
The defeated men sat down to watch the clash. Suddenly the Spartan’s force surged forward, their long staves lancing out to punch men from their feet. Theo’s front line went down. ‘Move back!’ Theo bellowed, and the men ran to the southern end of the field, turning once more to face the advancing formation. Swiftly Theo outlined a plan to
Gaelan and the others. Then they waited, shields locked together. Once more the Spartan’s army charged. The front rank again went down, and the enemy pushed on over them, closer to Theo who had placed himself at the back of his force.
Inside the Spartan square Gaelan rose from beneath his shield and touched Parmenion on the shoulder with his club. ‘Killing blow!’ shouted Gaelan.
A great cheer went up from the watching warriors. Parmenion took hold of Gaelan’s arm and raised it in the victor’s salute, then he led all the men back to the north of the field.
‘This afternoon,’ he told them, ‘you saw almost all the major problems faced by infantry. Petar, you experienced what happens when a charge comes unexpectedly, the sheer force of it carrying the enemy through to the centre. Achillas, you suffered the double envelopment, being hit on your flank as you engaged Petar. Theo, despite being the victor, you saw what happens when a foe is better armed, the spear giving greater length and penetration than the sword. Your ploy was a good one and I do not belittle it; indeed I will learn from it. But in a real battle, though you might have destroyed the enemy general, your troops would have been cut to pieces – and you would have died in the process.’
He presented the badges, watching with pleasure as Theo handed the second to Gaelan.
‘Tonight all badge-holders will be given their prizes. Now, gentlemen, you may return to your duties – all except the generals.’
As the men wandered away, Theo, Achillas and Petar sat down with Parmenion. ‘Tomorrow,’ said the Spartan, ‘I will be riding south to Aigai to begin training the men there. I will be gone for a week. During that time you will bring the men here every day; you will make them run, you will fight mock battles and you will issue badges. One of you will command, the other two will be under-officers. For this you will all be paid an extra drachm a day.’
‘Which of us is to command?’ asked Achillas.