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Keravnos, I thought that the king didn't have much power in Sparta. Of course the Spartans remained there to delay the Persians, but I have read in many documents that it was the law in Sparta not to withdraw unless you have orders from the city and the city was ruled by the "Eforoi" not the two kings.

Didn't that bit about not retreating cause some trouble during the maneuvering phase of Platea as well ?

Supposedly, yes. Because a number of Spartans refused to retreat when the decision was taken to relocate due to persistent Persian attacks they left the original encampment at a later time than the rest of the army; this allowed Mardonius to catch up with the Spartan detachment whilst they were still seperated from the rest of the Greeks on the next day, creating a potentially risky situation.

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Originally Posted by Vorian

Keravnos, I thought that the king didn't have much power in Sparta. Of course the Spartans remained there to delay the Persians, but I have read in many documents that it was the law in Sparta not to withdraw unless you have orders from the city and the city was ruled by the "Eforoi" not the two kings.

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The twin kings of Sparta might not have had much power in Sparta, but outside of it, they assumed command of the armed forces they were given. Both on strategic and tactical level. Given the constraints of the time, to have to answer for every decision to the Ephoroi would basically neuter Sparta as a fighting force.

Well, it's logical the way you put it. :idea2: