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Θερσάνδρου. The story is notable because it is one of the four cases (cf. ii. 55; iii. 55, and iv. 76) in which H. gives the name of his informant (cf. Introduction, p. 29). The fifty ‘Thebans’ doubtless included men from other cities of Boeotia.

κλῖναι. The subject must be Attaginus, who as host would arrange this. In Greece it was usual that only two should recline on one couch at supper (Plat. Symp. 175 C), whereas the Roman lectus held three.


ὁμοτράπεζος, ‘sharer in the feast’; ὁμόσπονδος, ‘sharer in the libation’ with which the drinking began; cf. Plat. Symp. 176 A.


These forebodings are interesting if true. Probably the Persians had lost confidence, as is shown by the evacuation of Attica and by the fortification of the camp; possibly, too, they were divided amongst themselves, Artabazus disapproving of the designs of Mardonius (ch. 41, 66).


For inevitable fate cf. i. 91. 1; iii. 43. 1, 65. 3, and for ἀναγκαίῃ ἐνδεδεμένοι i. 11. 3; viii. 22. 2.


Verrall (Cl. Rev. xvii. 99) has ingeniously suggested that this maxim came from a tragedy, ὀδύνη δ᾽ ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἐχθίστη πέλει αὕτη φρονοῦντα πολλὰ μηδενὸς κρατεῖν. For the sentiment cf. Soph. Oed. Rex 316.

Thersander and H. are at pains to prove that this story cannot be discredited as a mere vaticinium post eventum.

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