Histories, 9.74

Herodotus  translated by G. C. Macaulay

« Hdt. 9.73 | Hdt. 9.74 | Hdt. 9.75 | About This Work »

74To this deme belonged Sophanes, who showed himself the best of all the Athenians in this battle; and of him there are two different stories told: one that he carried an anchor of iron bound by chains of bronze to the belt of his corslet; and this he threw whensoever he came up with the enemy, in order, they say, that the enemy when they came forth out of their ranks might not be able to move him from his place; and when a flight of his opponents took place, his plan was to take up the anchor first and then pursue after them. This story is reported thus; but the other of the stories, disputing the truth of that which has been told above, is reported as follows, namely that upon his shield, which was ever moving about and never remaining still, he bore an anchor as a device, and not one of iron bound to his corslet.

« Hdt. 9.73 | Hdt. 9.74 | Hdt. 9.75 | About This Work »