35.29
At
daybreak the Cretan light infantry and the Tarentines commenced an action
on the river bank; Telemnastus of Crete commanding his countrymen, and
Lycortas of Megalopolis the cavalry. The enemy, too, had Cretan auxiliaries
and Tarentine horse covering their watering-parties, and as the same class of
troops were fighting with the same weapons on either side the issue was for
some time doubtful. As the action proceeded the tyrant's troops proved
superior owing to their numbers, and moreover Philopoemen had instructed
his officers to offer only a slight resistance and then pretend to flee and so
draw the enemy on to the spot where his ambush was set. As the enemy
became disordered in the pursuit, a great many were killed and wounded
before they caught sight of their hidden foe. The caetrati were crouching in
the best formation that the narrow space admitted of, and the intervals
between their companies allowed their own fugitives to pass through. Then
they sprang up fresh and vigorous, in perfect order, to attack an enemy who,
scattered in disorderly pursuit, were also exhausted by the strain of fighting
and the wounds which many of them had received. The result was decisive,
the soldiers of the tyrant turned and fled at a much greater speed than when
they were the pursuers, and were driven into their camp. Many were killed
or made prisoners in the flight, and the camp itself would have been in great
danger had not Philopoemen sounded the "retire." He feared the broken
ground, so dangerous to any who advanced without caution, more than he
feared the enemy. From his knowledge of the tyrant's character Philopoemen
guessed what a state of alarm he would be in after this battle and sent one of
his men to him in the guise of a deserter. This man told him that he had
found out that the Achaeans intended to advance the following day to the
Eurotas -this river almost washes the walls of Lacedaemon -in order to
intercept him and prevent him from withdrawing into the city and also stop
supplies from being conveyed from the city to the camp. They also, he told
him, were going to try and create a rising against him amongst the citizens.
Though the deserter's story was not fully accepted it afforded the tyrant,
now thoroughly frightened, a plausible excuse for quitting his present
position. He gave Pythagoras instructions to remain the next day on guard
before the camp with the cavalry and auxiliaries whilst he himself, with the
main strength of his army, marched out as though for action and gave the
standard-bearers orders to quicken their pace and make for the city.
