The Thebans formed twenty-five shields deep, the rest as they pleased.

Such was the strength and disposition of the Boeotian army.
On the side of the Athenians, the heavy infantry throughout the whole army formed eight deep, being in numbers equal to the enemy, with the cavalry upon the two wings.

Light troops regularly armed there were none in the army, nor had there ever been any at Athens.

Those who had joined in the invasion, though many times more numerous than those of the enemy, had mostly followed unarmed, as part of the levy in mass of the citizens and foreigners at Athens, and having started first on their way home were not present in any number.

The armies being now in line and upon the point of engaging, Hippocrates, the general, passed along the Athenian ranks, and encouraged them as follows: "Athenians, I shall only say a few words to you, but brave men require no more, and they are addressed more to your understanding than to your courage.