Histories

During the drawing up of battle formation there arose much dispute between the Tegeans and the Athenians, for each of them claimed that they should hold the second[*](That is, the wing which was not held by the Lacedaemonians themselves.) wing of the army, justifying themselves by tales of deeds new and old.

First the Tegeans spoke: “We, among all the allies, have always had the right to hold this position in all campaigns, of the united Peloponnesian armies, both ancient and recent, ever since that time when the Heraclidae after Eurystheus' death attempted to return to the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese.

We gained because of the achievement which we will relate. When we marched out at the Isthmus for war, along with the Achaeans and Ionians who then dwelt in the +Peloponnese [22,37.5] (region), Greece, Europe Peloponnese, and encamped opposite the returning exiles, then (it is said) Hyllus [*](son of Hercules.) announced that army should not be risked against army in battle, but that that champion in the host of the Peloponnesians whom they chose as their best should fight with him in single combat on agreed conditions.