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ἀκρομανής, ‘mad on the surface,’ ‘slightly mad’ (cf. ἀκρόζυμος, ἀκρόζεστος, ἀκροθώραξ, ἀκροκνέφαιος, ἀκροσαπής), or perhaps easily maddened; cf. ἀκροσφαλής: the more natural translation ‘very mad’ (cf. ἀκροδίκαιος, ἀκροπενθής, ἀκρόσοφος) is impossible in view of vi. 75, 84, which show that Cleomenes was at first ὑπομαργότερος, and only at the end of his life downright mad.


οὔτε ... χρησάμενος. Cf. Cic. de Divin. i. 3 ‘Quam vero Graecia coloniam misit in Aeoliam, Ioniam, Asiam, Siciliam, Italiam sine Pythio aut Dodonaeo aut Hammonis oraculo? aut quod bellum susceptum ab ea sine consilio deorum est?’ (cf. iv. 159; Thuc. iii. 92). Greek states as a rule procured the sanction of an oracle before founding a colony or undertaking a war. As the pronouncement of Pope Alexander VI legalized the Spanish and Portuguese occupation of America, so the oracle gave the Greek colonists assurance of success and a title to the land. But the oracle here, as elsewhere, acted on the suggestion of others, being in most cases set in motion by the state or men interested in the project; cf. iv. 159 n., and Holm, G. i. 244 f. (See note, p. 415.)

τῶν νομιζομένων. Cf. Thuc. i. 24 with Forbes, ad loc., and for the kindling of the Prytaneum fire in the colony from that in the mother-city i. 146.

κατηγέοντο. The Theraeans were well-chosen guides, being colonists from Sparta (iv. 147 f.), and themselves founders of Cyrene (iv. 150 f.). For Spartan ambitions in North Africa cf. iv. 178 n. For Macae cf. iv. 175, and Cinyps, iv. 175, 198 n.

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  • Commentary references from this page (2):
    • Thucydides, Histories, 1.24
    • Thucydides, Histories, 3.92
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