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Book 10 - Chapter 30

1
<w lemma="%2Aproago%2Fntwn">Προαγόντων</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fsqen">πρόσθεν</w>, <w lemma="pollw%3D%7C">πολλῷ</w> <w lemma="dusxereste%2Fras">δυσχερεστέρας</w> <w lemma="sune%2Fbaine">συνέβαινε</w> <w lemma="fai%2Fnesqai">φαίνεσθαι</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpwn">τόπων</w> <w lemma="traxu%2Fthtas">τραχύτητας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="steno%2Fthtas">στενότητας</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="basile%2Fws">βασιλέως</w> <w lemma="prosdoki%2Fas">προσδοκίας</w>.
2
<w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flon">ὅλον</w> <w lemma="mh%3Dkos">μῆκος</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="a%29naba%2Fsews">ἀναβάσεως</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="triakosi%2Fous">τριακοσίους</w> <w lemma="stadi%2Fous:">σταδίους·</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fths">ταύτης</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="plei%3Dston">πλεῖστον</w> <w lemma="me%2Fros">μέρος</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fdei">ἔδει</w> <w lemma="poiei%3Dsqai">ποιεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="porei%2Fas">πορείας</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="xara%2Fdras">χαράδρας</w> <w lemma="xeima%2Frrou">χειμάρρου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="baqei%2Fas">βαθείας</w>, <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="h%28%5Cn">ἣν</w> <w lemma="pollai%5C">πολλαὶ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="au%29toma%2Ftws">αὐτομάτως</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="u%28perkeime%2Fnwn">ὑπερκειμένων</w> <w lemma="krhmnw%3Dn">κρημνῶν</w> <w lemma="pe%2Ftrai">πέτραι</w> <w lemma="katenhnegme%2Fnai">κατενηνεγμέναι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fndra">δένδρα</w> <w lemma="du%2Fsbaton">δύσβατον</w> <w lemma="e%29poi%2Foun">ἐποίουν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29th%3Ds">αὐτῆς</w> <w lemma="porei%2Fan">πορείαν</w>, <w lemma="polla%5C">πολλὰ</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="u%28po%5C">ὑπὸ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="barba%2Frwn">βαρβάρων</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fros">μέρος</w> <w lemma="sunhrgei%3Dto">συνηργεῖτο</w>.
3
<w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="e%29kkopa%5Cs">ἐκκοπὰς</w> <w lemma="de%2Fndrwn">δένδρων</w> <w lemma="e%29pepoi%2Fhnto">ἐπεποίηντο</w> <w lemma="sunexei%3Ds">συνεχεῖς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="li%2Fqwn">λίθων</w> <w lemma="plh%2Fqh">πλήθη</w> <w lemma="mege%2Fqei">μεγέθει</w> <w lemma="diafero%2Fntwn">διαφερόντων</w> <w lemma="sunhqroi%2Fkeisan:">συνηθροίκεισαν·</w> <w lemma="au%29toi%2F">αὐτοί</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Flhn">ὅλην</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="fa%2Fragga">φάραγγα</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="eu%29kai%2Frous">εὐκαίρους</w> <w lemma="u%28peroxa%5Cs">ὑπεροχὰς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="duname%2Fnas">δυναμένας</w> <w lemma="sfi%2Fsin">σφίσιν</w> <w lemma="a%29sfa%2Fleian">ἀσφάλειαν</w> <w lemma="pare%2Fxesqai">παρέχεσθαι</w> <w lemma="kateilhfo%2Ftes">κατειληφότες</w> <w lemma="e%29th%2Froun">ἐτήρουν</w>, <w lemma="w%28%2Fst%27">ὥστ᾽</w>, <w lemma="ei%29">εἰ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="dih%2Fmarton">διήμαρτον</w>, <w lemma="e%29ntelw%3Ds">ἐντελῶς</w> <w lemma="a%29%5Cn">ἂν</w> <w lemma="e%29cadunath%2Fsanta">ἐξαδυνατήσαντα</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29anti%2Foxon">Ἀντίοχον</w> <w lemma="a%29posth%3Dnai">ἀποστῆναι</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29pibolh%3Ds">ἐπιβολῆς</w>.
4
<w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fon">δέον</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fous">πολεμίους</w> <w lemma="pa%2Fntas">πάντας</w> <w lemma="kat%27">κατ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29na%2Fgkhn">ἀνάγκην</w> <w lemma="poiei%3Dsqai">ποιεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29th%3Ds">αὐτῆς</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="fa%2Fraggos">φάραγγος</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29na%2Fbasin">ἀνάβασιν</w>, <w lemma="ou%28%2Ftws">οὕτως</w> <w lemma="pareskeua%2Fsanto">παρεσκευάσαντο</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="katela%2Fbonto">κατελάβοντο</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpous">τόπους</w>.
5
<w lemma="e%29kei%3Dno">ἐκεῖνο</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fbleyan">ἔβλεψαν</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="fa%2Flagga">φάλαγγα</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29poskeuh%5Cn">ἀποσκευὴν</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fllws">ἄλλως</w> <w lemma="dunato%5Cn">δυνατὸν</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w>, <w lemma="a%29ll%27">ἀλλ᾽</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="e%29kei%3Dnoi">ἐκεῖνοι</w> <w lemma="die%2Flabon">διέλαβον</w>, <w lemma="poiei%3Dsqai">ποιεῖσθαι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="porei%2Fan:">πορείαν·</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="parakei%2Fmena">παρακείμενα</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="o%29rw%3Dn">ὀρῶν</w> <w lemma="ou%29x">οὐχ</w> <w lemma="oi%28%3Do%2Fn">οἷόν</w> <w lemma="t%27">τ᾽</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftois">τούτοις</w> <w lemma="prosbalei%3Dn">προσβαλεῖν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="yiloi%3Ds">ψιλοῖς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="eu%29zw%2Fnois">εὐζώνοις</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="a%29du%2Fnatos">ἀδύνατος</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="leukope%2Ftrwn">λευκοπέτρων</w> <w lemma="a%29nabolh%2F">ἀναβολή</w>.
6
<w lemma="o%28%2Fqen">ὅθεν</w> <w lemma="a%28%2Fma">ἅμα</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="prw%3Dton">πρῶτον</w> <w lemma="fulakei%3Don">φυλακεῖον</w> <w lemma="prosmi%3Dcai">προσμῖξαι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Adioge%2Fnhn">Διογένην</w>, <w lemma="e%29%2Fcwqen">ἔξωθεν</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="xara%2Fdras">χαράδρας</w> <w lemma="poioume%2Fnous">ποιουμένους</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29na%2Fbasin">ἀνάβασιν</w>, <w lemma="a%29lloiote%2Fran">ἀλλοιοτέραν</w> <w lemma="e%29la%2Fmbane">ἐλάμβανε</w> <w lemma="dia%2Fqesin">διάθεσιν</w>.
7
<w lemma="eu%29qe%2Fws">εὐθέως</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="sumplokh%5Cn">συμπλοκὴν</w> <w lemma="au%29tou%3D">αὐτοῦ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fgmatos">πράγματος</w> <w lemma="dida%2Fskontos">διδάσκοντος</w>, <w lemma="u%28pertiqe%2Fmenoi">ὑπερτιθέμενοι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="prosbai%2Fnontes">προσβαίνοντες</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="pla%2Fgia">πλάγια</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="xwri%2Fwn">χωρίων</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Adioge%2Fnhn">Διογένην</w>, <w lemma="u%28perde%2Fcioi">ὑπερδέξιοι</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fwn">πολεμίων</w> <w lemma="e%29gi%2Fnonto">ἐγίνοντο</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="xrw%2Fmenoi">χρώμενοι</w> <w lemma="puknoi%3Ds">πυκνοῖς</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="a%29konti%2Fsmasi">ἀκοντίσμασι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="xeiro%5Cs">χειρὸς</w> <w lemma="li%2Fqois">λίθοις</w> <w lemma="kakw%3Ds">κακῶς</w> <w lemma="dieti%2Fqesan">διετίθεσαν</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="barba%2Frous">βαρβάρους</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%2Flista">μάλιστα</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="sfendo%2Fnais">σφενδόναις</w> <w lemma="e%29kakopoi%2Foun">ἐκακοποίουν</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="a%29posth%2Fmatos">ἀποστήματος</w> <w lemma="ba%2Fllontes">βάλλοντες</w>.
8
<w lemma="o%28%2Fte">ὅτε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="prw%2Ftous">πρώτους</w> <w lemma="e%29kbiasa%2Fmenoi">ἐκβιασάμενοι</w> <w lemma="kata%2Fsxoien">κατάσχοιεν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpon">τόπον</w>, <w lemma="e%29di%2Fdoto">ἐδίδοτο</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="leitourgoi%3Ds">λειτουργοῖς</w> <w lemma="kairo%5Cs">καιρὸς</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="pa%3Dn">πᾶν</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="podw%3Dn">ποδῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29nakaqai%2Frein">ἀνακαθαίρειν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="leai%2Fnein">λεαίνειν</w> <w lemma="met%27">μετ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29sfalei%2Fas">ἀσφαλείας</w>. <w lemma="e%29gi%2Fneto">ἐγίνετο</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tou%3Dto">τοῦτο</w> <w lemma="taxe%2Fws">ταχέως</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="poluxeiri%2Fan">πολυχειρίαν</w>.
9
<w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29lla%5C">ἀλλὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftw%7C">τούτῳ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="tro%2Fpw%7C">τρόπῳ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="sfendonhtw%3Dn">σφενδονητῶν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tocotw%3Dn">τοξοτῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fti">ἔτι</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29kontistw%3Dn">ἀκοντιστῶν</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="u%28perdeci%2Fous">ὑπερδεξίους</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpous">τόπους</w> <w lemma="poreuome%2Fnwn">πορευομένων</w> <w lemma="spora%2Fdhn">σποράδην</w>, <w lemma="pote%5C">ποτὲ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="sunaqroizome%2Fnwn">συναθροιζομένων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="katalambanome%2Fnwn">καταλαμβανομένων</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="eu%29kai%2Frous">εὐκαίρους</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpous">τόπους</w>, <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29spidiwtw%3Dn">ἀσπιδιωτῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29fedreuo%2Fntwn">ἐφεδρευόντων</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="au%29th%5Cn">αὐτὴν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="xara%2Fdran">χαράδραν</w> <w lemma="paraporeuome%2Fnwn">παραπορευομένων</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="ta%2Fcei">τάξει</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ba%2Fdhn">βάδην</w>, <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fmenon">ἔμενον</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="ba%2Frbaroi">βάρβαροι</w>, <w lemma="pa%2Fntes">πάντες</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="lipo%2Fntes">λιπόντες</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="to%2Fpous">τόπους</w> <w lemma="h%28qroi%2Fsqhsan">ἡθροίσθησαν</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="u%28perbolh%2Fn">ὑπερβολήν</w>.
As these separate bodies advanced they found the road much rougher and narrower than the king had expected.
For the total length of the ascent was about three hundred stades, and for the greater part of this distance it was through a deep torrent bed, in which progress was rendered difficult by quantities of rock and trees that had fallen of their own accord from the precipices above, while numerous other obstacles placed there by the barbarians contributed to the result.
For they had constructed a series of barricades of felled trees and had collected a quantity of huge rocks, while they themselves along the whole defile had occupied favourable positions on the heights where they fancied themselves in security. So that Antiochus would have found it perfectly impossible to execute his project had they not miscalculated:
for these preparations had been made and these positions occupied under the idea that the whole enemy army must necessarily ascend through the defile itself;
but they never saw that though the phalanx and pack-train could not march by any other route than the one they supposed, since it was impossible for that part of the army to attack the mountain slopes, yet it was by no means beyond the power of unburdened and light-armed troops to ascend over the bare rocks.
So that as soon as Diogenes, advancing outside the defile, came in contact with the first barbarian post the face of things was entirely changed.
For at once upon encountering the enemy he acted as circumstances suggested and making a further flank movement up hill got on higher ground, and by throwing showers of javelins and stones from the hand inflicted severe punishment on them, the greatest damage being done by the stones slung from a distance.
As soon as they had forced this first post to withdraw and occupied their position the pioneers had time to clear and level the ground in front of them at their ease, a task soon accomplished owing to their large numbers.
In fact, by this means, with the slingers, archers and javelineers marching along the high ground in loose order, but closing up and occupying favourable positions, and with the Cretans covering their movements and marching parallel to them close to the defile slowly and in good order, the barbarians no longer stood their ground, but abandoning their positions collected on the actual summit of the pass.

Walbank Commentary

Overview
10.27.1 - 10.31.15
<p rend="Plain Text">Antiochus' expedition against Arsaces</p> <p rend="Plain Text"> Two contiguous, but not continuous, fragmentsthere is a break in F after 27are from the res Asiae of Ol. 142, 3 = 210/09; see above, p. 15. The Parthians had recently conquered western <milestone unit="page" n="231">[231]</milestone> <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Hyrcania&groupId=640&placeId=1172">Hyrcania</a>, Comisene, and Choarene to the south of the Caspian; and further east Euthydemus of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Magnesia&groupId=729&placeId=1336">Magnesia</a> had seized Aria (cf. Holleaux, CAH, viii. 140 = tudes, v. 322). In autumn 210 (probably; cf. ix. 43 n.) Antiochus had sailed down the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Euphrates&groupId=138&placeId=377">Euphrates</a>; in the spring of 209 he was in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Ecbatana&groupId=551&placeId=1033">Ecbatana</a>, in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Media&groupId=742&placeId=1354">Media</a>, preparing his expedition. There is no evidence that the Parthians had seized <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Media&groupId=742&placeId=1354">Media</a>. P.'s sources for the whole of Antiochus' eastern expedition are obscure; against von Scala's argument (262) that he followed Zeno of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Rhodes&groupId=931&placeId=1665">Rhodes</a>, who had information from Polyxenidas (29. 6 n.), see Ullrich, 31–32. But either directly or indirectly P. seems to draw in part on an eyewitness (cf. 28. 3 n.), who took part in Antiochus' anabasis and subsequently published an account of it; he may be the 'mercenary source' detected earlier (cf. v. 40. 4–57. 8 n.). By this expedition Antiochus thoroughly re-established his position in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Media&groupId=742&placeId=1354">Media</a>, where recently-found inscriptions from Nehavend attest the position of the Seleucids there in 193 (Robert, Hellenica, 7, 1949, 5–22; 8, 1949, 73–75; Bull. pig. 1950, no. 217; cf. Clairmont, Mus. Helv. 1949, 218–26; A. G. Roos, Mnem. 1950, 54–63; 1951, 70–72; Aymard, REA, 1949, 327–45; Edson, CP, 1954, 112–18). </p>
10.27.0 - 10.31.0
<p rend="Plain Text">on Antiochus' crossing of Mt. Elburz see Bar-Kochva, Seleucid Army, 142–5.</p>
Specifics
10.30.2 - 10.30.2
<p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὸ . . . ὅλον μῆκος . . . περὶ τριακοσίους σταδίους</w>:</emph> perhaps calculated from near Shahrud, where the forces began to ascend to the col, and not from Tagae. Pdech (REA, 1958, 77–78) quotes a Russian traveller, G. V. Melgunof, Das sdliche Ufer des Kaspischen Meeres oder die Nordprovinzen Persiens (Leipzig, 1868), 132–45, for the distance of 10 farsakhs = 52.5 km. from Shahrud to the Quzluq Pass, and this is confirmed by the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=India&groupId=648&placeId=1187">India</a> Survey map. On the other hand, this journey does not form a single ascent, but from the Chalchanlyan Pass there is a drop of over 3,000 ft. into the upper valley of Chasman-Sawer and a further ascent from there to the Quzluq Pass, a feature omitted from Pdech's map (REA, 1958, facing p. 74). This map also puts Tash only about 12 km. from Shahrud, whereas both Conolly (above, 29. 3 n.) and the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=India&groupId=648&placeId=1187">India</a> Survey map agree in putting it about 22 miles away. According to Conolly the road from the Chalchanlyan Pass to Shahrud 'was level', i.e. it does not match the rough and narrow gorge here described. One may, however, suppose that the higher part of the route provided so many obstacles as to give the impression of being <w lang="el-GR">τὸ πλεῖ?στον μέρος . . . τῆς πορείας</w>. It certainly looks as if the trouble with the barbarians occurred in the last stages of the ascent, perhaps around the Chalchanlyan Pass, and certainly up to the col leading over the next ridge; but P.'s failure to mention the descent in to the upper valley of the Chasman-Sawer prevents detailed identification of the point where the fighting first began. </p> <p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὸ πλεῖστον μέρος . . . τῆς πορείας</w>:</emph> if the 300 stades are reckoned from Shahrud this is not true (see last note); but this may nevertheless have been the honest impression of the eye-witness from whom P.'s account ultimately derives, and who will have shared in the fighting in the higher reaches. </p>
10.30.5 - 10.30.5
<p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τὰ παρακείμενα τῶν ὀρῶν . . . προσβαλεῖν</w>:</emph> 'to ascend the mountain slopes'; for this sense of <w lang="el-GR">προσβάλλειν</w> (missed by Paton) cf. 39. 1, iii. 94. 1, and Schweighaeuser's note in Lex. Polyb. s.v. <w lang="el-GR">προσβάλλειν</w>. </p> <p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">δι᾿ αὐτῶν τῶν λευκοπέτρων</w>:</emph> 'over the bare rocks'; cf. iii. 53. 5 for a similar feature on Hannibal's ascent of the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Alps&groupId=313&placeId=609">Alps</a>. </p>
10.30.6 - 10.30.6
<p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀλλοιοτέραν ἐλάμβανε διάθεσιν</w>:</emph> despite Bothius' defence of the MS. reading (Polybiana (Leipzig, 1844), 63), a subject seems needed. Schweighaeuser reads <w lang="el-GR">τὸ πρᾶγμα</w> or <w lang="el-GR">τὰ πράγματα</w> after <w lang="el-GR">ἐλάμβανε</w> (cf. xviii. 50. 4), Hultsch <w lang="el-GR">πάντ᾿ ἐλάμβανε</w>. </p>
10.30.7 - 10.30.7
<p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ὑπερτιθέμενοι καὶ προσβαίνοντες πρὸς τὰ πλάγια</w>:</emph> 'avoiding an <milestone unit="page" n="240">[240]</milestone> engagement by ascending on the enemy's flank'. 'To postpone battle' seems a more appropriate meaning for <w lang="el-GR">ὑπερτίθεσθαι</w> here than 'to advance further' (cf. Paton, 'making a further flank movement up hill'); cf. iv. 30. 2, 87. 12; Schweighaeuser, Lex. Polyb. s.v. <w lang="el-GR">ὑπερτίθεσθαι</w>. </p>
10.30.9 - 10.30.9
<p rend="Plain Text"> <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">τῶν</w></emph> 〈 <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">δ᾿</w></emph> 〉 <emph rend="bold"><w lang="el-GR">ἀσπιδιωτῶν ἐφεδρευόντων</w>:</emph> 'with the Cretan shieldbearers as a covering force'; for this sense of <w lang="el-GR">ἐφεδρεύειν</w> cf. iii. 53. 5, and passim. </p>
Addenda & corrigenda
10.28.0 - 10.31.0
<p rend="Plain Text">on Antiochus' crossing of Mt. Elburz see Bar-Kochva, Seleucid Army, 142–5.</p>

Commentary