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ἀνεκρούοντο, ‘the other Greeks were beginning to back water and to run their ships ashore’; this is not in Aeschylus (cf. App. XXI. 7).

Παλληνεύς (cf. 93. 1): from the well-known deme Pallene (i. 62. 3). According to Plutarch (Them. 14) he was of Decelea, and according to Diodorus (xi. 27; cf. Ael. V. H. v. 19, and vit. Aesch.), he was a brother of Aeschylus, but since the poet was thought to be of Eleusis (vit. Aesch.; schol. Ar. Ran. 886), this is perhaps a confusion. If Aeschylus is relating his brother's exploits, the simplicity of Pers. 408 f. has a double charm. He probably believed the Athenians began the battle, since the Phoenician ships were arrayed against them (85. 1; Pers. 410).


If the Aeginetans were on the other wing of the Greek fleet (Diod. xi. 18), each city might be honestly convinced that their champions had begun the battle. Very possibly the Aeginetans, who won the prize for valour, were right in their claim, yet the mention of the trireme bearing the Aeacidae looks like the invention of a happy omen.

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  • Commentary references from this page (2):
    • Aeschylus, Persians, 408
    • Aelian, Varia Historia, 5.19
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