E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1

[3] 18. βραχυτάτῳ κτλ. — ‘this is the briefest summary, including the whole situation and the details, by which ...’ τοῖς τε ξύμπασι καὶ καθ᾽ ἕκαστον is taken by Classen as adverbial =‘on the whole as well as in detail,’ but there is no parallel for the phrase in dative. It is awkward, but better, to make it apposition to κεφαλαίῳ (Kiuger). It is true that only one general matter is presently referred to (viz. the naval strength of Corcyra), so that τὰ καθ᾽ ἕκαστον seem wanting (Stahl); but the speaker means if you think out this summary, you will find it includes all detailed arguments too. If we look at the ξυμφέροντα to Athens that are brought forward in this speech, we shall notice (1) that the speaker in each case leads up to the fleet of Corcyra as the crowning argument, (2) that he is well aware that this is the argument that will really impress Athens. It is therefore right to insist on it at the end. κεφάλαιον means summary of the points previously raised. Edd. seem to overlook the fact that this passage is rhetorical, and not necessarily strictly accurate. (The remedy proposed is to make τοῖς ... ἕκαστον masc., either as dat. commodi depending on β. κεφαλαίῳ (Poppo, Steup) or placed after or before ξυμφορώτατόν ἐστι.)

20. τρία μέν—sc. ἐστί: ὄντα belongs to λόγου ἄξια. (There is no anacoluthon here.)

26. πλείοσι κτλ.—‘with our ships in addition (to yours). For this use of πλείων cf. e.g. Aesch. Ag. 755 τὸ δυσσεβὲς γὰρ ἔργον ... πλείονα τίκτει. (To take ταῖς ἡμετέραις as dat. of measure dependent on πλείοσι gives an ugly construction.)