E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 3

περὶ Πελοπόννησον—in the previous year the Pelo ponnesians had attempted an offensive war on a considerable scale in Acarnania, which, with the exception of Oeniadae, was in alliance with Athens. The idea was, to suppress the influence of Athens in the NW. (Naupactus, Zacynthus, Cephallenia, as well as Acarnania); and so to put an end to the harassing expeditions of Athenian fleets περὶ Πελοπόννησον. But the scheme failed completely; and a squadron under Phormio that had been stationed at Naupactus in 430 B.C. to close the Corinthian gulf to Peloponnesian trade, gained two brilliant victories. After the departure of the enemy's fleet, Phormio made an expedition into Acarnania, but was prevented by severe weather from attacking Oeniadae. Early in the spring of this year (428), Phormio returned to Athens; and it is evident that he was now dead or out of health. His statue was placed on the Acropolis and an inscription in his honour was set up at Delphi. (For περὶ some MSS. give ἐς: and perhaps ἐς τὰ περὶ Π. was the original form; cf. II. 7, 3. See, however, c. 3, 2.)

σφίσι as direct reflexive, referring to the nearer subject, is an Ionic use.

Λακωνικῆς depends on χωρία.

ἀναστήσας—the verb occurs in a similar connexion in II. 68 and 96; in IV. 90 άναστήσας Ἀθηναίους πανδημεί.

κατὰ τὸν Ἀχελῷον—‘by way of the A.’; not the technical use of κατά meaning ‘down’ a stream (cf. Aeschines II. 124 εἰσπλεῖν κατὰ τὸν Λυδίαν ποταμόν); Oeniadae was an important town on a hill in marshy ground near the SW. coast of Acarnania W. of the mouth of the Achelous. Cobet conjectured άνά for κατά.

φρουρῶν—the contrast with αὐτόθεν suggests that these were not Leucadians.

ἀποπλεύσαντες—i.e. the ships withdrew to Acarnania, and from there the negotiation was carried on.