Follow the action through four phases. Positions and movements are illustrative; the notes distinguish evidence from reconstruction.
SCHEMATIC RECONSTRUCTIONPHASE 1 / 4
Greek coalition Persian-led coalition→ Movement / pressure⇢ Reconstructed route
PHASE 01
Opposing positions
Pausanias’ Greek coalition faces Mardonius’ Persian-led army across the Asopus in Boeotia. Spartans and Tegeans occupy the Greek right, Athenians the left, with other contingents between them. The opposing army includes Thebans and other Greeks allied to Persia. Herodotus describes cavalry attacks that obstruct access to the river, spoil the Gargaphian spring and interrupt supplies coming across Cithaeron. These pressures make the Greek position increasingly difficult to sustain. The commanders plan a night move toward safer water and communications, although the intended regrouping area’s exact location remains debated.
What remains uncertain: This phase combines the later opposing positions with the cavalry pressures preceding withdrawal. The Gargaphia and the intended “Island” regrouping area cannot be located precisely from the narrative alone.
Movements shown on the map
Cavalry pressure on supplies — reconstructed route or position.