Histories

Now if Aristodemus alone had been sick and returned to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta, or if they had both made the trip, I think the Spartans would not have been angry with them. When, however, one of them died, and the other had the same excuse but was unwilling to die, the Spartans had no choice but to display great anger towards Aristodemus.

Some say that Aristodemus came home safely to Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta in this way and by this excuse. Others say that he had been sent out of the camp as a messenger and could have gotten back in time for the battle but chose not to, staying behind on the road and so surviving, while his fellow-messenger arrived at the battle and was killed.