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Thus nobly did the whole body of Lacedaemonians and Thespians
behave; but nevertheless one man is said to have distinguished himself
above all the rest, to wit, Dieneces the Spartan. A speech which
he made before the Greeks engaged the Medes, remains on record. One
of the Trachinians told him, "Such was the number of the
barbarians, that when they shot forth their arrows the sun would be
darkened by their multitude." Dieneces, not at all frightened at
these words, but making light of the Median numbers, answered "Our
Trachinian friend brings us excellent tidings. If the Medes darken
the sun, we shall have our fight in the shade." Other sayings too of
a like nature are reported to have been left on record by this same person.
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