The Battle of Mantineia
In the year 362 BC, on June 27th (or the 4th of July), near Mantineia a city of Arcadia, the Spartan army under the command of Agesilaos tried to stop Epameinondas who was leading Thebans and their allies.
Opponents and their strength
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Thebans - Epameinondas:
3.000 cavalry, 30.000 infantry |
|
|
Troops
|
Quantity
|
DBM type
|
|
1
|
Theban cavalry
and hamippoi
|
1.500
1.500
|
Reg Cv(O)
Reg Ps(I)
|
|
2
|
Thessalian cavalry
and hamippoi
|
1.000
1.000
|
Reg Cv(O)
Reg Ps(I)
|
|
3
|
Thessalian cavalry
hamippoi and
peltasts
|
500
500
1.000
|
Reg Cv(O)
Reg Ps(I)
Reg Ax(O)
|
|
4
|
Theban hoplites
|
5.000
|
Reg Sp(O)
|
|
5
|
Boiotian hoplites
|
5.000
|
Reg Sp(O)
|
|
6
|
Arcadian hoplites
|
2.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
7
|
Sikyonian hoplites
|
3.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
8
|
Malian hoplites
|
1.500
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
9
|
Euboian hoplites
|
1.500
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
10
|
Locrian hoplites
|
3.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
11
|
Argive hoplites
|
5.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
Spartans - Agesilaos: 2.000
cavalry, 20.000 infantry |
|
|
Troops
|
Quantity
|
DBM type
|
|
1
|
Spartan cavalry
|
500
|
Reg Cv(I)
|
|
2
|
Elian cavalry
|
500
|
Reg Cv(I)
|
|
3
|
Athenian cavalry
|
800
|
Reg Cv(O)
|
|
4
|
Elian reserve
|
200
|
RegCv(I)/LH(O)
|
|
5
|
Mantineian hoplites
|
7.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
6
|
Lakedaimonians
|
1.000
|
Reg Sp(O)
|
|
7
|
Lakedaimonian Mercenaries
|
2.000
|
Reg Sp(O)
|
|
8
|
Elian hoplites
|
2.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
9
|
Achaian hoplites
|
2.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
|
10
|
Athenian hoplites
|
6.000
|
Irr Sp(O)
|
Opponents at the beginning:
Battle
Diagram
At the first deployment, the Thebans were paralleled with the Spartan lines. They had a small force of peltasts, horsemen and 'hamippoi' (men fighting together with the cavalry) in front of them as a cover. Epameinondas ordered his troops to turn left and move diagonally to the north-west . During this manoeuvre Epameinondas wanted to strengthen his left flank without letting his opponents know that he was using the same trick as he had in the battle of
Leuctra.
When the first 'lochoi' reached the slopes of Mount Mytikas, he ordered them to put down their weapons and the rest of the troops to continue their march behind them like they were going to camp. The opponents assumed that the Thebans wouldn't fight that day so they began to dismiss their lines. Suddenly, Epameinondas ordered his entire army to turn to the right. The mixed troop of cavalry, hamippoi and psiloi (mainly Thessalians) occupied the small gentle hills which were at the left of Athenians in order to threaten their left flank. The Theban cavalry at the left wing and the strengthened Theban phalanx now had the shape of a sharpened wedge.
The 1st phase of the battle:
Battle
Diagram
Epameinondas ordered his cavalry to attack which was a shock for his opponents. At the left, the Theban cavalry attacked the Spartan and Elian horsemen defeating them quickly. At the same time the Thessalians surprised the Athenian cavalry who then retreated in an orderly fashion, leaving the Athenian infantry's left flank unprotected.
The 2nd phase of the battle:
Battle
Diagram
There was now a chance for the mixed troops of cavalry and infantry (deployed on the hills) to attack the Athenian flank. During this very difficult time, a small Elian mounted reserve, attacked and blocked the Thessalians successfully covering the Athenian infantry, saving them from the disaster. On the other side, the Theban cavalry withdrew to their left and right leaving the field free for the advancing Theban phalanx which attacked against the Mantineians and the rest of Arcadians.
The 3rd phase of the battle:
Battle
Diagram
After the battle with the Mantineians, Theban hoplites took advantage of their position, however, the right wing of the Theban Army was now in trouble. With a counter attack, the Athenian calvary killed many of the soldiers who had fled the hills and forced those remaining to retreat.
The 4th phase of the battle:
Battle
Diagram
The critical moment in the battle had now arrived. The Thebans were dominating the left wing. They advanced and broke through the Mantineian lines, forcing them to retreat. This affected the Spartan centre which also began to retreat. At that moment Epameinondas was mortally wounded and he was transferred far away from the battle. His soldiers immediately stopped the pursuit and began returning as if they were defeated. On the battlefield, both sides were now embarrassed.
Final phase:
Battle
Diagram
Finally after much hesitation, the Spartans asked for a truce, so, according to Greek custom, the Thebans won the battle and had the right to raise a 'tropaion'. Epameinondas asked for the results of the battle, and then asked if his shield was safe. When his escorts informed him of the death of both officers Diofantis and Iolaidas, he advised the Thebans to make peace with the Spartans. Lastly when his friends told him that he was leaving childless, he answered: "I' m dying, leaving you two immortal daughters; Leuctra and
Mantineia".
Konstantinos Konstantoulakis
Bibliography:
Xenophon - 'Hellenika', Z 5
Diodoros Sikeliotis - XV, 84
Ploutarchos - 'Agesilaos'
Military history's subjects - Publications of Greek Army's General Office, 1981.
Encyclopaedia Papyros - Larousse, 'Epameinondas', 1963.
History of Ancient Greece - Institute History of USSR Science Academy,1978.
The Ancient world - Vassilis Kremmydas & Sofoklis
Markianos; Publ. Gnosi, 1982.
Many thanks to Ingrid Blackwell for the corrections of the English text.
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