Kitap 4
28.5
Henceforward it was likely to be more easy for quarrels to arise among men whose counsels were divided on account of the Lacedaemonians, and they arrived at civil war. Learning this, the Lacedaemonians were preparing to assist their partisans in Elis. While they were being organized in squadrons and distributed in companies, a thousand picked Messenian troops arrived hurriedly at Elis with Laconian blazons on their shields.
28.6
Seeing their shields, all the Laconising party in Elis thought their supporters had arrived and received them into the fortress. But having obtained admission in this way, the Messenians drove out the supporters of the Lacedaemonians and made over the city to their own partisans.
28.7
The trick is Homer's, but the Messenians plainly imitated it opportunely, for Homer represents Patroclus in the IliadHom. Il. 16.281 clad in the arms of Achilles, and says that the barbarians were filled with the belief that it was Achilles attacking them, and that their front ranks were thrown into confusion. Other stratagems are the invention of Homer, the coming of the two Greek spies by night among the Trojans, instead of oneHom. Il. 10.220 and later a man coming to Troy, who pretends to be a deserter but actually is to find out their secrets.
28.8
Again, the Trojans who, through youth or years were not of fighting age, he posted as garrison of the walls,Hom. Il. 8.517 while the men of military age were encamped against the Greeks. The wounded Greeks in Homer arm the fighting men, so that even they may not be altogether idle. Indeed Homer's ideas have proved useful to men in every matter.
