Diodoros on the character of Iphikrates and the his peltast modifications: (From BOOK XV. 4. 144)

"It will not be out of place to set forth what I learned about the remarkable character of Iphikrates For he is reported to have possessed shrewd ability to command and to have enjoyed an exceptional genius for every kind ofuseful invention. we are told, after he had acquired his long experience of military operations in the Persian War, he devised many improvements in the tools of war, devoting himself especially to the matter of arms.

For instance, the Greeks were using shields which were large and consequently difficult to handle; these he discarded and made small rounded ones ofmoderate size, thus successfully achieving both objects to furnish the body with adequate cover and to enable the user of the small shield, on account of its lightness, to be completely free in his movements. After a trial of the new shield its easy manipulation secured its adoption, and the infantry who had formerly been called "hoplites" because oftheir heavy shield (hoplon), then had their name changed to "peltists" from the light pella they carried.

As regards to the spear and sword, he made changes in the contradictory direction: namely, he increased the length of the spears by half, (9-10') and made the swords almost twice as long (3'). The actual use of these arms confirmed the initial test and from the success of the experiment won great fame for the inventive genius of the general. He made soldiers' boots that were easy to untie and light and they continue to this day to be called "iphicratids" after him. He also introduced many other useful improvements into warfare, but it would be tedious to write about them.

So the Persian expedition against Egypt, for all its huge preparation, disappointed expectations and proved a failure in the end." (Translator's note: Iphikrates was nearly executed for this failure.)

Diodoros on Iphikrates' defeat of the Spartan Mora with his peltasts and operations in Corinthian and Argive territory: (From BOOKXIV. 91.1-92.3)

"The exiles (Athen's enemies) who held Lechacum (Corinth's port) in the Corinthian territory being admitted into Cornith in the night, endeavored to get possession of the walls, but when the troops of Iphikrates came up against them, they lost three hundred of their number and fled back to the shipping station.

Some days later a contingent of the Lacedaemonian army was passing through the Corinthian territory, when Iphikrates and some of the allies in Corinth fell on them and slew the larger number. Iphikrates with his peltasts advanced against the territory of Phlius,(about ten miles south-west of the city of Cornith)and joining battle with the men of the city, he killed more than three hundred of them. Then, when he advanced against Sicyon, the Sicyonians offered battle before their walls but lost about five hundred men and found refuge within their city.

After these events had taken place, the Argives armed themselves in full force and marched against Corinth, and after seizing the acropolis and securing the city for themselves, they made the Corinthian territory Argive. The Athenian Iphikrates also had the design to seize the city, since it was advantageous for the control of Greece; but when the Athenian people opposed it, he resigned his position in protest. The Athenians appointed Chabrias general in his place and sent him to Corinth."

Ancient Translations Original Source to Wargame Table

Introduction
Diodoros: Iphikrates and Peltast Modifications
Xenophon: Skirmish at Lechaeum
Cornelius Nepos: Iphikrates