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Why is it that the Thessalians, with a cavalry of more than three thousand horse and light-armed troops beyond number,1 have their fortresses occupied from time to time by certain other states2 while the Megarians, with only a small force, govern their city as they see fit? And, again, why is it that the Thessalians are always at war with each other while the Megarians, who dwell between the Peloponnesians on the one hand and the Thebans and the Athenians on the other, are continually in a state of peace?3
1 See Xen. Hell. 6.1.19.
2 By the Macedonians under Alexander II. and by the Thebans under Pelopidas.
3 An “unphilosophical” answer might be that no one coveted Megarian territory, whereas Thessalian resources were tempting. See a remark of Thuc. 1.2.