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κατεσκεύαστο. Xerxes' delay of a month at Abydos (viii. 51. 1) is most naturally explained by the supposition that the second bridge was not finished.

χυτοί=χώματα (iii. 60. 3), ‘moles.’ The neglect of these breakwaters would account for the silting up of the canal at its two ends.

ἅμα τῷ ἔαρι. Early in April, 480 B. C. Xerxes took three months to march from the Hellespont to Athens (viii. 54. 1). He probably reached Athens about the middle of September, and must have taken ten days at least to march from Thermopylae to Athens (about 100 miles), which agrees with the fact that the fighting at Thermopylae took place just after the Olympian festival (Aug. 17-20), that is in the last ten days of August. From Therma to Thermopylae (about 175 miles) Xerxes had marched rapidly in fourteen (or perhaps sixteen) days (vii. 183, 196). If we add the delay at Thermopylae (6-8 days), it follows that Xerxes left Therma at the beginning of August. He had halted there for a good many days (vii. 131), and at Abydos (viii. 51 and sup.) a month. A month is not too long to allow for the march from Sardis to Abydos (250 miles), nor a month and a half from Sestos to Therma (over 300 miles). This calculation agrees with H.'s three months from Sestos to Athens (viii. 51), and adding forty-five days for his return (viii. 115), with the seven months of the king's absence (Corn. Nepos, Them. 5).

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