Battle of the burning plains III

Conduct of the battle

Before I can analyse further the battle I need to give a summary of how the battle was conducted. Eldest has the last 5 to 6 chapters dedicated to the battle. They give us however Eragon's POV of the battle (and, in Convergence, Roran's) rather than a general description. This is anything but uncommon in real history, knowing a battle only from one POV and not even knowing what really occured. In many cases far less than all these chapters Paolini dedicates are given for a battle. Let us consider for example Herodotus' description of the battle of Marathon (from book VI, translated by G.C. Macaulay in the 18th century):

111. And when it came round to him, then the Athenians were drawn up for battle in the order which here follows:-- On the right wing the polemarch Callimachos was leader (for the custom of the Athenians then was this, that the polemarch should have the right wing); and he leading, next after him came the tribes in order as they were numbered one after another, and last were drawn up the Plataians occupying the left wing: for ever since this battle, when the Athenians offer sacrifices in the solemn assemblies which are made at the four-yearly festivals, the herald of the Athenians prays thus, "that blessings may come to the Athenians and to the Plataians both." On this occasion however, when the Athenians were being drawn up at Marathon something of this kind was done:--their army being made equal in length of front to that of the Medes, came to drawn up in the middle with a depth of but few ranks, and here their army was weakest, while each wing was strengthened with numbers. 112. And when they had been arranged in their places and the sacrifices proved favourable, then the Athenians were let go, and they set forth at a run to attack the Barbarians. Now the space between the armies was not less than eight furlongs: and the Persians seeing them advancing to the attack at a run, made preparations to receive them; and in their minds they charged the Athenians with madness which must be fatal, seeing that they were few and yet were pressing forwards at a run, having neither cavalry nor archers. Such was the thought of the Barbarians; but the Athenians when all in a body they had joined in combat with the Barbarians, fought in a memorable fashion: for they were the first of all the Hellenes about whom we know who went to attack the enemy at a run, and they were the first also who endured to face the Median garments and the men who wore them, whereas up to this time the very name of the Medes was to the Hellenes a terror to hear. 113. Now while they fought in Marathon, much time passed by; and in the centre of the army, where the Persians themselves and the Sacans were drawn up, the Barbarians were winning, --here, I say, the Barbarians had broken the ranks of their opponents and were pursuing them inland, but on both wings the Athenians and the Plataians severally were winning the victory; and being victorious they left that part of the Barbarians which had been routed to fly without molestation, and bringing together the two wings they fought with those who had broken their centre, and the Athenians were victorious. So they followed after the Persians as they fled, slaughtering them, until they came to the sea; and then they called for fire and began to take hold of the ships.


Herodotus tells us earlier the story of the Persian campaign before Marathon, the disagreements among the Athenians and then tells us of how many died and some aftermath. Compared to this Paolini's description is rather large and well detailled. A small description of the full battle, as I understood it follows:

1 At dawn the Varden/Surdan army issues out of their fortifications, where a breach had been made to allow them out, and walks quietly the distance separating the two armies (about 2 miles).

2 After 3/4 of the distance has been covered the imperial army notices them and begins forming ranks. Orrin's cavalry and the Urgals attacks from the side, pinning and immobilising the imperial army, causing it damage.
Armies are always more vulnerable to attacks from the side and even more from the back. Epameinondas won one of his biggest victories attacking at night, during a storm and from an unexpected direction, combining thus most elements that multiply the efficacity of attack.

3 The infantry (led by Nasuada and Arya) cover the last quarter of the distance running (about 800 meters) and meet the imperial army.

4 After very damaging attacks by imperial war machines forcing the infantry to retreat Nasuada asks Eragon to come to the front line along with his dragon, to bolster morale. Eragon, who in this time was using magic to effortlessly kill imperial soldiers from a distance, comes forward. Using magic he destroys the war machines and attacks, along with his battle group, killing those opposing him. He thus allows the Varden/Surdan infantry to retreat in order but cannot breach the imperial formation.

5. On his 7th attack, with the infantry retreated to the fortification (we are never told if they remained manned) and with Eragon having lost 2 of his 4 Urgal companions and 3 of the 7 dwarf companions Hrothgar arrives with his dwarven army and also attacks from the side. The battle is balanced and then the imperial army retreats towards its original starting position, maintaining formation.

6. Roran arrives on the Dragon Wing carrying the villagers of Carvahal. The Dragon Wing serves as a base of archer attacks against the imperial army.

7. Murtagh and the Twins arrive to bolster the ranks of the imperial army. Murtagh quickly kills Hrothgar (Orik takes command of the dwarves) but is neutralised for the battle by Eragon. They duel beyond the river but Murtagh, though victorious, leaves the battlefield riding his dragon (since he is a reluctant servant of Galbatorix). In the mean time Roran kills the Twins.

8. Having lost the Twins, their rider having flown away, attacked from three sides, the officer corps being exterminated by Angels's poisons and little willing to serve Galbatorix the imperial army disintegrates. Large numbers surrender to the Varden/Surdans, some even join them but most escape beyond the river, more a mass of men than a fighting force. The Varden/Surdan/dwarf army lacks the means to chase and slaughter them and allows them to escape.