Our man should be disciplined in the work of the heavy fighter, and not stand out from the missiles when he carries a shield, but go right up and fight at close quarters and, with long spear or short sword, thrust home and strike his enemy down.
A surviving poem of an earlier time, written by Tyrtaeus in approximately 630 BCE
For no man ever proves himself a good man in war unless he can endure to face the blood and the slaughter, go close against the enemy and fight with his hands.
