The right wing was held by the Mantineans themselves, who put into the field all of military age
under the command of Podares, the grandson of the Podares who fought against the Thebans. They had with them also
the Elean seer Thrasybulus, the son of Aeneas, one of the Iamids. This man foretold a victory for the Mantineans
and took a personal part in the fighting.

On the left wing was stationed all the rest of the Arcadian army, each city under its own leader, the contingent of Megalopolis
being led by Lydiades and Leocydes. The centre was entrusted to Aratus, with the Sicyonians and the Achaeans.
The Lacedaemonians under Agis, who with the royal staff officers were in the centre, extended their line so as to make
it equal in length to that of their enemies.

Aratus, acting on an arrangement with the Arcadians, fell back with his command, as though the pressure of the Lacedaemonians
was too severe. As they gave way they gradually2 made their formation crescent-shaped. The Lacedaemonians under Agis,
thinking that victory was theirs,
pressed in close order yet harder on Aratus and his men. They were followed by those on the wings, who thought it a great achievement
to put to flight Aratus and his host.

But the Arcadians got in their rear unperceived, and the Lacedaemonians were surrounded, losing the greater part of their army,
while King Agis himself fell, the son of Eudamidas. The Mantineans affirmed that Poseidon too manifested himself in their defence,
and for this reason they erected a trophy as an offering to Poseidon.