Game Date: 03.03.2002

Dreams of the Past: Battle

Anticipation built within him. Mache. The very concept filled him with joy. Battle. That which he and all Spartiates had been trained for from birth. Athene hold my heart still, he thought. His heart was beating within him like the drums that measured the march. It was straining to race away like the charger beneath him. But discipline was required here. The heart and the emotions had to be held in check, the better to use them against what was surely a less disciplined opponent. An opponent which were hoplitai from Teichum. They would be decidedly inferior opposition, but opposition nonetheless. It was a chance to use what he'd learned. A tune-up, if you will. And he did will. He thought of a possible confrontation with the hated Athenians. But he was out here against Teichum today, and he focused on that. Focus was important.

The hoplitai from Teichum were arrayed in battle formation, ready to meet Sparta on the field of battle. He sneered inside. You aren't ready for us, he thought. You aren't our equals. What makes you think you can oppose us? He readied his sword and matched his horse with the speed of his own hoplitai. He would charge in with them. He was a subaltern, but if he was going to lead, he was going to lead, by Zeus. He readied himself for the shock of battle. Teichum started to charge. Come on in, he thought. We have a surprise for you.

He kept pace as his hoplitai started their charge. The two phalagges adjusted to each other as they advanced toward each other at a fast walk. They came closer and closer, moving toward the shock of contact. At 50 yards distance, the Lacodaemonoi sprung their surprise.

When Greek hoplitai advanced to battle, they had to be careful, because once they started moving, they couldn't stop. Once committed to an advance, they kept going until they made contact. Spartans were a little different, however. Not only could they stop, they could move backwards. This is the surprise that was sprung upon Teichum.

The Teichum hoplitai failed to adjust to the maneuver and lost some cohesion. At that moment, the Lacodaemonoi moved forward again, making contact with the disorganized Teichoi. He charged in, timing his contact with his hoplitai. He swung his sword with force, cutting at the hoplitai surrounding him. He hacked at upturned helmets, at shoulders, at spears leveled at him. His organized hoplitai were winning the day. At last, the pressure and the disorganization became too much for the Teichoi and they routed. He raised a shout of joy and pursued them, hacking down their naked bodies as they stripped their armor and fled. Dictating peace terms would be left to the gerontoi. He finally stopped hacking down fleeing men and returned to erect a trophy to the victory.

"You should have piled Florida State gear on the field when you beat them," said Brasidas. "Your Orange Bowl should be piled high with Hokie gear."

The NCAA wouldn't have approved, thought Chris. Besides, pointing at the scoreboard usually did the trick.