The Night Before

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     Epaminondas the night before the battle of Leuctra.  He will mass his best troops on his left, unheard of in Hoplite warfare, as he knows the Spartan elite will be opposite these.  If he can stomp the Spartans, their "allies" will run.  His one elite force on his right will be commanded by his friend Pelopidas.  This is the Sacred Band, 300 lovers picked for their looks and physique.  No kidding.  The Spartans are crushed, losing 700 irreplaceable soldiers and their king.  Sparta always had two kings so this would have been the one on the field.  I am sure that the olive oil flowed around the campfires that night!

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