Sciritae
group · 2 works · 2 mentions · 4 anchored passages
the Sciritae
in the texts
History of the Peloponnesian War
A distinct body of Lacedaemonian troops that traditionally held the extreme left wing of the Spartan battle line, broken by the Mantineans at the start of the battle of Mantinea.
On that occasion the Sciritae formed their left wing;
and moreover, that when he ordered the Sciritae to rejoin their comrades, since the lochi did not move on to their support, neither could these now fill up the line.
And so, on that occasion, the Mantineans reached with their wing far beyond the Sciritae, and the Lacedaemonians and Tegeans farther still beyond the Athenians, inasmuch as their army was larger than theirs.
Cyropaedia
Troop group used as a comparative example for dangerous rear-guard service.
For this reason the Assyrians used to employ them as the Spartans do the Sciritae, sparing them neither in hardships nor in dangers.