Gorgidas, according to some, first formed the Sacred Band of three
hundred chosen men, to whom, as being a guard for the citadel, the State
allowed provision, and all things necessary for exercise: and hence
they were called the city band, as citadels of old were usually called
cities. Others say that it was composed of young men attached to each
other by personal affection, and a pleasant saying of Pammenes is
current, that Homer's Nestor was not well skilled in ordering an army,
when he advised the Greeks to rank tribe and tribe, and family and
family together, that
"So tribe might tribe, and kinsmen kinsmen aid,"
but that he should have joined lovers and their beloved. For men of the
same tribe or family little value one another when dangers press; but a
band cemented by friendship grounded upon love, is never to be broken,
and invincible; since all, ashamed to be base in sight of their beloved,
willingly rush into danger for the relief of one another. Nor can that
be wondered at; since they have more regard for their absent loving
friends than for others present; as in the instance of the man who,
when his enemy was going to kill him, earnestly requested him to run him
through the breast, that his lover might not blush to see him wounded in
the back. It is a tradition likewise, that Iolaus, who assisted Hercules
in his labors and fought at his side, was beloved of him; and Aristotle
observes, that even in his time, lovers plighted their faith at Iolaus'
tomb. It is likely, therefore, that this band was called sacred on this
account; as Plato calls a lover a divine friend. It is stated that it
was never beaten till the battle at Chaeronea: and when Philip, after
the fight, took a view of the slain, and came to the place where the
three hundred that fought his phalanx lay dead together, he was filled
with wonder, and understanding that it was the band of lovers, he shed
tears and said, "Perish any man who suspects that these men either did
or suffered any thing that was base."