ey are but a single community, but
as they advance and attach city after city they grow more numerous
and more resistless. I observe that when people wish to take wasps'
nests--if they try to capture the creatures on the wing, they are liable
to be attacked by half the hive; whereas, if they apply fire to them ere
they leave their homes, they will master them without scathe themselves.
On this principle I think it best to bring about the battle within the
hive itself, or, short of that, as close to Lacedaemon as possible." (5)

(5) Or, "if not actually at Lacedaemon, then at least as near as
possible to the hornet's nest."

The arguments of the speaker were deemed sound, and a resolution was
passed in that sense; but before it could be carried out there were
various arrangements to be made. There was the question of headship.
Then, again, what was the proper depth of line to be given to the
different army corps? for if any particular state or states gave too
great a depth to their battle line they would enable the enemy to turn
their flank. Whilst they were debating these points, the Lacedaemonians
had incorporated the men of Tegea and the men of Mantinea, and were
ready to debouch into the bimarine region. (6) And as the two armies
advanced almost at the same time, the Corinthians and the rest reached
the Nemea, (7) and the Lacedaemonians and their allies occupied Sicyon.
The Lacedaemonians entered by Epieiceia, and at first were severely
handled by the light-armed troops of the enemy, who discharged stones
and arrows from the vantage-ground on their right; but as they dropped
down upon the Gulf of Corinth they advanced steadily onwards through the
flat country, felling timber and burning the fair land. Their rivals, on
their side, after a certain forward movement, (8) paused and encamped,
placing the ravine in front of them; but still the Lacedaemonians
advanced, and it was only when they were within ten furlongs (9) of the
hostile position that they followed suit and encamped, and then they
remained quiet.

(6) I.e. "the shores of the Corinthian Gulf." Or, "upon the strand or
coast road or coast land of Achaia" (aliter {ten aigialon}(?) the
Strand of the Corinthian Gulf, the old name of this part of
Achaia).

(7) Or, "the district of Nemea."

(8) {epelthontes}, but see Grote ("H. G." ix. 425 note), who prefers
{apelthontes} = retreated and encamped.

(9) Lit. "ten stades." For the num