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A similar formation was adopted by the Peloponnesian fleet against the smaller but more efficient squadron under Phormio in 429 B. C. Thuc. ii. 83ἐτάξαντο κύκλον τῶν νεῶν ὡς μέγιστον οἷοί τε ἦσαν μὴ διδόντες διέκπλουν, τὰς πρῴρας μὲν ἔξω, εἴσω δὲ τὰς πρύμνας”. Since, however, they did not attack the Attic ships as they sailed round them, they fell into disorder and were routed. H. hints (inf.) at the disadvantages of the formation which are definitely pointed out by Phormio (Thuc. ii. 89).

κατὰ στόμα: going to work ‘prow to prow’, a sign of indifferent seamanship later (Thuc. vii. 36), here perhaps explained by the confined space (ἐν ὀλίγῳ).


Γόργου: cf. vii. 98 n.; v. 104, 115.

Plutarch (Them. 15) erroneously transfers this exploit of Lycomedes to Salamis.


ἑτεραλκέως: cf. ix. 103. 2 n.

χῶρον ἐν Σαλαμῖνι. Athens apparently had ‘ager publicus’ in Salamis, and assigned a κλῆρος to Antidorus, but whether he ranked with the Athenian cleruchs or with the original inhabitants we cannot tell.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Thucydides, Histories, 2.83
    • Thucydides, Histories, 2.89
    • Thucydides, Histories, 7.36
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