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Here, in the marshalling of the nations, a fierce battle of words
arose between the Athenians and the Tegeans, both of whom claimed to
have one of the wings assigned to them. On each side were brought
forward the deeds which they had done, whether in earlier or in later
times; and first the Tegeans urged their claim as follows:
"This post has been always considered our right, and not the right of
any of the other allies, in all the expeditions which have been entered
into conjointly by the Peloponnesians, both anciently and in later
times. Ever since the Heraclidae made their attempt, after the death
of Eurystheus, to return by force of arms into the Peloponnese, this
custom has been observed. It was then that the right became ours, and
this was the way in which we gained it: When, in company with the
Achaeans and Ionians who then dwelt in the Peloponnese, we marched
out to the Isthmus, and pitched our camp over against the invaders,
then, as the tale goes, that Hyllus made proclamation, saying -
'It needs not to imperil two armies in a general battle; rather let
one be chosen from the Peloponnesian ranks, whomsoever they deem the
bravest, and let him engage with me in single combat, on such terms as
shall be agreed upon.' The saying pleased the Peloponnesians, and
oaths were sworn to the effect following: 'If Hyllus conquer the
Peloponnesian champion, the Heraclidae shall return to their
inheritance; if, on the other hand, he be conquered, the Heraclidae
shall withdraw, lead back their army, and engage for the next hundred
years to make no further endeavours to force their return." Hereupon
Echemus, the son of Aeropus and grandson of Phegeus, who was our
leader and king, offered himself, and was preferred before all his
brothers-in-arms as champion, engaged in single combat with Hyllus,
and slew him upon the spot. For this exploit we were rewarded by the
Peloponnesians of that day with many goodly privileges, which we have
ever since enjoyed; and, among the rest, we obtained the right of
holding the leading post in one wing, whenever a joint expedition goes
forth beyond our borders. With you then, O Lacedaemonians, we do
not claim to compete; choose you which wing ye please; we yield and
grant you the preference: but we maintain that the command of the other
wing belongs of right to us, now no less than formerly. Moreover,
set aside this exploit which we have related, and still our title to
the chief post is better than that of the Athenians: witness the many
glorious fights in which we have been engaged against yourselves, O
Spartans! as well as those which we have maintained with others. We
have therefore more right to this place than they; for they have
performed no exploits to be compared to ours, whether we look to
earlier or to later times."
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