E.C. Marchant, Commentary on Thucydides Book 1

[5] 21. νῦν ἔτι—generally supposed to have been written after the destruction of the walls of Piraeus by Lysander in 404 B.C. There is, however, no certainty in the matter; cf. 93.2.

22. δύο γὰρ ἅμαξαι—this is supposed to mean that wagons in two rows drawing up stones from opposite ends met and passed one another on the wall (Classen); or, much better— because the idea of Classen could not possibly be carried out in building—the wagons worked from one end up an incline, and after discharging their load turned and passed the laden wagons still coming along the wall. (So already Procopius.) It is almost incredible, however, that Thuc. should have intended this Greek to represent (1) two rows of wagons (2) passing along the wall, and (3) the one set returning empty. But I have no other explanation to offer. Some suppose that two wagons worked on the level and deposited stones ready for the building on either side; perhaps this does prove τὸ πάχος τοῦ τείχους.

24. ἐντὸς δέ—i.e. the inside was not filled with clay and small stones, but large blocks were cut and fitted and fastened together on the outside by iron clamps.

25. ἐντομῇ—by cutting into them, so that the ends could fit together and overlap. This is much better than ἐν τομῇ, which cannot=‘at the ends.’

28. οὗ διενοεῖτο—i.e. εκείνου δ διενοεῖτο τελεῖν.