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These then were the most distinguished of those who fought at
Plataea. As for Callicrates, - the most beautiful man, not among
the Spartans only, but in the whole Greek camp, - he was not killed
in the battle; for it was while Pausanias was still consulting the
victims, that as he sat in his proper place in the line, an arrow
struck him on the side. While his comrades advanced to the fight, he
was borne out of the ranks, very loath to die, as he showed by the
words which he addressed to Arimnestus, one of the Plataeans; -
"I grieve," said he, "not because I have to die for my country,
but because I have not lifted my arm against the enemy, nor done any
deed worthy of me, much as I have desired to achieve something."
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