Left wing Quote by Anonymous
““Thucydides observed how advancing troops tended to edge out towards their right,{18} their unshielded side. They had an instinctive desire to feel themselves more protected by the shields of their right-hand neighbours. Thus the right wing of a hoplite phalanx was apt to some degree to outflank the enemy’s left wing. The Spartans exploited this tendency by being able after outflanking their enemy’s left to wheel round and roll up the enemy line. This was the more possible because the Spartans advanced, as Milton says, “to flutes and soft recorders” rather than charged at speed. Their disciplined steadiness was not borne down by the impact of the enemy charge, their skill in front-line fighting compensated for its lack of momentum. The””
About This Quote
Source Historical analysis: Thucydides’ account of hoplite tactics, 5th century BC
Spartans used disciplined, slower advance to exploit enemy’s right‑hand weakness, allowing them to outflank and roll up opposing lines.
In simple terms: Spartans used slow, disciplined advance to outflank enemies.
Key Takeaway
Use disciplined tactics to exploit predictable enemy behavior.
Themes
military strategy
discipline
flanking
psychology
Mood
strategic
analytical
Type
historical
military
tactical
When to use this quote
- battlefield maneuvers
- leadership training
- historical reenactments
- military education
Key Concepts
phalanx formation
hand advantage
enemy predictability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can disciplined pacing be applied in modern team dynamics?
- What are the risks of relying on predictable enemy behavior?
A Different Perspective
May be less effective against highly mobile or modern mechanized forces.
