Battle of Delium: History's First "Friendly Fire" Incident

Thebes in Blue, New England Patriots Athenians in Red. The Peloponessian War between Athens and Sparta and their allies was in its seventh year, and Athens sought to invade the neighboring land of Boeotia, which was allied to the Spartans. The Athenian commander Hippocrates landed his forces near the city of Delium, a city 25 miles north of Athens. [This city was known throughout the Greek world for its fine temple to the god Apollo.] The Athenians surrounded the temple district with wooden and stone fortifications, with took all of five days to build. Then, apparently feeling overly confident, Hippocrates sent part of his forces back to Athens, since the Boeotians did not attack him immediately. However, the Boeotians began to gather their forces to resist the Athenian aggression, but then many of the officers – seeing part of the Athenians leaving – thought it pointless to attack. However, Pagondas of Thebes, the Boeotian commander, felt it imperative to attack and defeat the invaders. Consequently, the Boeotian forces began to muster … Greek warfare in this time period was still dominated by the hoplite, the heavily armored, spear-wielding soldier. Metal helmet, breastplate, and greaves to protect the legs were worn. These men fought in deep phalanxes with spears bristling to their front, their heavy bowl-like shields as much a weapon as the spear [think of the recent movie “300” for an idea]. While there were also lighter-armed footmen, peltasts (slingers, bowmen and javelinmen) and small cavalry contingents, the hoplites dominated the battlefields of ancient Greece. Pagondas of Thebes formulated a unique strategy. Both sides were roughly equal in size: each had about 7000 hoplites, 1000 cavalry, 500 peltasts and 10,000 light troops. Both armies were divided roughly into a right and left flank, a center, and wings. The right, left and center comprised the hoplites, the wings the light troops and peltasts. The phalanxes of both antagonists were roughly 8 men deep; however, Pagondas formed his right flank entirely of his native Thebans, and organized them 25 men deep, with the front ranks consisting of the oath-bound Theban Sacred Band. He was essentially fighting with a loaded right glove. Also, Pagondas held his cavalry in a flying reserve, to be used at a time and place as dictated by the events of the battle. The Boeotian battle formation was shielded from the Athenians by a high hill and ridge. Prior to the battle, Pagondas addressed his men, saying in part, “[F]reedom means simply a determination to hold one's own; and with neighbors like these [the Athenians], who are trying to enslave near and far alike, there is nothing else but to fight it out to the last.” The battle began when the Boeotians charged over and down the ridge that shielded their dispositions. The Athenian general Hippocrates was giving a speech to his men, but quickly counter-charged up the slope in the face of the Boeotian assault. The Theban right flank quickly overcame the Athenian left; the Athenian right just as quickly defeated the Boeotian left. But one contingent of the Boeotian left, the Thespians, doggedly held their ground, allowing the Athenians to surround them. This act caused great confusion in the Athenian right, as friend and foe were not easily distinguishable in the heat of battle, and some Athenian units attacked each other in the fog of battle. [There were apparently no “state” shield devices at this time, further adding to the mix.] Consequently, Pagondas sent his cavalry reserve into the fight on his left flank, and with their help the confused Athenian right were routed. The Athenian and Boeotian centers held firm, but when the Athenian right and left both began to stream to the rear in retreat, the Athenian center collapsed and joined their comrades. The Boeotians chased the Athenians until nightfall. The Athenians lost about 1200 men killed, while the Boeotians lost about 500. The Boeotians now laid siege to the Athenian fortifications, saying that the Athenians were occupying sacred land and should leave. The cheeky Athenians replied, “Well, since *we* now occupy it, this is *our* sacred land, and we’re going to defend it.” A two-week siege ensued, and culminated with this odd description of a new siege weapon from Thucydides: “So [the Boeotians] took a large beam of wood, and scooping out the centre made it into a hollow tube. To one end they fastened, by an iron chain, a huge caldron. In the caldron they placed charcoal and sulphur, while to the other end of the tube they tied bellows, by which a strong current of air could be blown through to the other end. When this was done the charcoal and the sulphur in the caldron were fanned into a great blaze, and the fortifications of the temple were soon on fire.” The Boeotians assaulted the Athenian garrison, killing 200 men and allowing the rest to escape. Thus ended another chapter in the Peloponessian War…