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334 THE PLAIN OF MARATHON. 



present instance the sentiments of the ten generals were divided, five 

 being averse to an engagement; which the remainder strongly 

 recommended. Miltiades, who was the youngest in rank, though 

 highest in reputation, zealous in the cause of his country, and con- 

 vinced in his own mind that the wisest course was to engage, gained 

 Callimachus, who was then Polemarch, over to his opinion, and it was 

 resolved to attack the enemy. Plutarch observes, that Aristides was 

 of the same way of thinking with Miltiades, and was of great assist- 

 ance in persuading the rest. When the decisive moment arrived, he 

 disposed his forces in the following manner ; Callimachus commanded 

 the right wing ; for by a law this post was always confided to the 

 Polemarch ; beginning from the right flank the tribes were placed in 

 the line according to their order ; the Plataeans were on the left. 

 Miltiades formed his front equal to that of the Medes, weakening in- 

 deed his centre, in which were only the tribes Leontis and Antiochis 

 (the first commanded by Themistocles, the second by Aristides), that 

 he might strengthen the wings. 



No other situation at Marathon, but in the valley itself, could have 

 afforded him the great advantage of making his line equal to that of 

 the enemy. The space which it is conjectured was occupied by the 

 Greeks was about 1500 yards in length ; on computing that each 

 soldier occupied three feet, there would consequently be, 1500 men in 

 the first line. From the weakness of their numbers, and the extent 

 of ground they were obliged to occupy, they could not afford that 

 great depth to their line which was always customary, and would in 

 this instance have been very important. Miltiades therefore wisely 

 took from his centre, that he might give greater strength to his flanks. 



When the sacrifices appeared favourable for commencing the en- 

 gagement, the Greeks rushed forward in full charge against the bar- 

 barians. Between the van of each army there was a space of not 

 less than eight stadia, about three quarters of a mile. The Persians 

 when they perceived the Greeks in motion, immediately prepared to 

 receive them, for they considered such conduct as the height of folly, 



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