oever to the understanding.

(11) See "Anab." IV. iii. 26; "Cyrop." III. iii. 59; VI. iii. 22.

(12) I.e. "for doubling depth"; e.g. anglice, "form two deep," etc.,
when marching to a flank. Grote, "H. G." vii. 108; Thuc. v. 66;
also Rustow and Kochly, op. cit. p. 111, S. 8, note 19; p. 121,
$17, note 41.

But when it comes to their ability to do battle equally well in spite
of some confusion which has been set up, and whatever the chapter of
accidents may confront them with, (13) I admit that the tactics here are
not so easy to understand, except for people trained under the laws of
Lycurgus. Even movements which an instructor in heavy-armed warfare (14)
might look upon as difficult are performed by the Lacedaemonians with
the utmost ease. (15) Thus, the troops, we will suppose, are marching in
column; one section of a company is of course stepping up behind another
from the rear. (16) Now, if at such a moment a hostile force appears in
front in battle order, the word is passed down to the commander of each
section, "Deploy (into line) to the left." And so throughout the whole
length of the column, until the line is formed facing the enemy. Or
supposing while in this position an enemy appears in the rear. Each file
performs a counter-march (17) with the effect of bringing the best men
face to face with the enemy all along the line. (18) As to the point
that the leader previously on the right finds himself now on the left,
(19) they do not consider that they are necessarily losers thereby, but,
as it may turn out, even gainers. If, for instance, the enemy attempted
to turn their flank, he would find himself wrapping round, not their
exposed, but their shielded flank. (20) Or if, for any reason, it be
thought advisable for the general to keep the right wing, they turn the
corps about, (21) and counter-march by ranks, until the leader is on the
right, and the rear rank on the left. Or again, supposing a division of
the enemy appears on the right whilst they are marching in column, they
have nothing further to do but to wheel each company to the right, like
a trireme, prow forwards, (22) to meet the enemy, and thus the rear
company again finds itself on the right. If, however, the enemy should
attack on the left, either they will not allow of that and push him
aside, (23) or else they wheel their companies to the left to face the
antagonist, and thus the rear company once more falls into position on
the lef