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

ἀναδιδάσκοντες—because at Teichium Demosthenes showed signs of appreciating the formidable nature of his undertaking.

τὴν δ᾽ ἐν ποσίν—sc. κώμην. Cf. Soph. Antig. 1327 τἂν ποσὶν κακά, ‘what lies in one's way.’

τῇ τύχῃ ἐλπίσας—causal dat., ‘rendered sanguine by his fortune.’ His confidence is amazing.

ἐχώρει ἐπὶ Αἰγιτίου—recent authorities have made it highly probable that Aegitium is Velúchovos, which, Woodhouse says, is the strongest fortress in Aetolia. It is in Ophionea. If this is so, notice (1) that Demosthenes has completely accepted the original plan of the Messenians, (2) that he has crossed the river Daphnos since advancing from Teichium. It is likely that Thuc. did not know of this river.

ὀγδοήκοντα—the distance is really a little over a hundred stades—thirteen miles The difference can scarcely be regarded as a serious argument against the identification of the site. (Possibly H, i.e. ἑκατόν, in an early uncial MS. reappeared as Π᾽ by a copyist's error.)

βεβοηθηκότες γὰρ . . ἦσαν—viz. the relief force; see c. 96, 3. The delay at Teichium had given them the opportunity.

ὁπότε—this, and not ὄτε, is prob. correct, as elsewhere Thuc. uses ὄτε only with indic.—The country through which the Athenians retreated on Oeneon was exceedingly wild and difficult.