Today's Passage
This passage describes a critical phase in the northwestern Greek campaigns of 426 BCE, during the seventh year of the Peloponnesian War.
Crawley Translation (1910)
The same winter the Ambraciots, as they had promised Eurylochus when they retained his army, marched out against Amphilochian Argos with three thousand heavy infantry, and invading the Argive territory occupied Olpae, a stronghold on a hill near the sea, which had been formerly fortified by the Acarnanians and used as the place of assizes for their nation, and which is about two miles and three-quarters from the city of Argos upon the sea-coast. Meanwhile the Acarnanians went with a part of their forces to the relief of Argos, and with the rest encamped in Amphilochia at the place called Crenae, or the Wells, to watch for Eurylochus and his Peloponnesians, and to prevent their passing through and effecting their junction with the Ambraciots; while they also sent for Demosthenes, the commander of the Aetolian expedition, to be their leader, and for the twenty Athenian ships that were cruising off Peloponnese under the command of Aristotle, son of Timocrates, and Hierophon, son of Antimnestus. On their part, the Ambraciots at Olpae sent a messenger to their own city, to beg them to come with their whole levy to their assistance, fearing that the army of Eurylochus might not be able to pass through the Acarnanians, and that they might themselves be obliged to fight single-handed, or be unable to retreat, if they wished it, without danger.
Meanwhile Eurylochus and his Peloponnesians, learning that the Ambraciots at Olpae had arrived, set out from Proschium with all haste to join them, and crossing the Achelous advanced through Acarnania, which they found deserted by its population, who had gone to the relief of Argos; keeping on their right the city of the Stratians and its garrison, and on their left the rest of Acarnania. Traversing the territory of the Stratians, they advanced through Phytia, next, skirting Medeon, through Limnaea; after which they left Acarnania behind them and entered a friendly country, that of the Agraeans. From thence they reached and crossed Mount Thymaus, which belongs to the Agraeans, and descended into the Argive territory after nightfall, and passing between the city of Argos and the Acarnanian posts at Crenae, joined the Ambraciots at Olpae.
Modern Translation
That same winter, the Ambraciots fulfilled their promise to Eurylochus—made when they persuaded him to keep his army in the region—by launching a campaign against Amphilochian Argos. They mobilized three thousand heavy infantry and, after invading Argive territory, seized Olpae, a fortified stronghold situated on a hill overlooking the sea. The Acarnanians had originally built these fortifications and used the site as their national court of justice. The position lay approximately two and three-quarter miles from the coastal city of Argos. In response, the Acarnanians divided their forces: one contingent marched to defend Argos, while the remainder established camp at a location in Amphilochia known as Crenae (the Wells). Their mission was to intercept Eurylochus and his Peloponnesian forces, preventing them from linking up with the Ambraciots. The Acarnanians also dispatched messengers requesting assistance from Demosthenes, who had commanded the recent Aetolian expedition, and summoned the twenty Athenian warships patrolling near the Peloponnese under Aristotle, son of Timocrates, and Hierophon, son of Antimnestus. Meanwhile, the Ambraciots occupying Olpae sent urgent word to their home city, pleading for reinforcements with their entire available force. They feared that Eurylochus's army might fail to break through the Acarnanian positions, leaving them isolated to face the enemy alone or unable to withdraw safely if necessary. When Eurylochus and his Peloponnesians received intelligence that the Ambraciots had secured Olpae, they immediately departed from Proschium. Crossing the Achelous River, they advanced through Acarnanian territory, which they found abandoned—its inhabitants having marched to defend Argos. They kept the city of Stratus and its garrison on their right flank, with the remainder of Acarnania to their left. After passing through Stratian territory, they continued through Phytia, then skirted Medeon through Limnaea. At this point, they left hostile Acarnania and entered the friendly territory of the Agraeans. From there, they ascended and crossed Mount Thymaus in Agraean lands, descending into Argive territory under cover of darkness. Threading their way between Argos itself and the Acarnanian positions at Crenae, they successfully joined forces with the Ambraciots at Olpae.
Historical Context
This passage describes a critical phase in the northwestern Greek campaigns of 426 BCE, during the seventh year of the Peloponnesian War. The Ambraciots, allies of Sparta, are attempting to conquer Amphilochian Argos with support from the Spartan general Eurylochus. The Acarnanians, allied with Athens, mobilize to defend their neighbor while calling for Athenian naval support and the assistance of Demosthenes, the talented Athenian general who had recently suffered a setback in Aetolia. The strategic importance lies in control of northwestern Greece—if the Peloponnesians could secure this region, they would threaten Athenian interests in the west and potentially cut off support to their allies in Sicily and Italy. The successful junction of Eurylochus with the Ambraciots at Olpae sets the stage for a major confrontation that will determine regional control.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Amphilochian Argos
A Greek city in Amphilochia, distinct from the more famous Argos in the Peloponnese. It was strategically located near the Ambracian Gulf and served as a key point of contention between pro-Athenian and pro-Spartan forces in northwestern Greece. The city's coastal position made it valuable for controlling maritime routes.
Learn more →Demosthenes (general)
An innovative Athenian general known for his tactical creativity and use of light-armed troops. Despite his recent failure in Aetolia (426 BCE), he would redeem himself in this campaign through brilliant tactical maneuvers, particularly at the battles of Olpae and Idomene, establishing himself as one of Athens' most capable commanders.
Learn more →Acarnania
A region in northwestern Greece that generally allied with Athens during the Peloponnesian War. The Acarnanians were known as skilled light infantry and were crucial to Athenian influence in the western theater. Their geographic position between Aetolia and Epirus made them strategically important for controlling access to the Corinthian Gulf.
Learn more →Hoplite Warfare
The mention of 'three thousand heavy infantry' refers to hoplites, the heavily armored citizen-soldiers who formed the backbone of Greek armies. These troops fought in close formation (phalanx) with spears and shields, representing the military and social elite of their cities.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Diodorus Siculus: Library of History (12.60)
Diodorus provides a condensed account of the Acarnanian campaign, though with less detail than Thucydides. He emphasizes the role of Demosthenes in the subsequent victory.
Read passage →Xenophon: Hellenica (1.2.18)
While not covering this specific campaign, Xenophon describes similar regional conflicts in northwestern Greece during the later stages of the Peloponnesian War, showing the continued strategic importance of the region.
Read passage →Pausanias: Description of Greece (10.18.7)
Pausanias mentions monuments commemorating Demosthenes' victories in Amphilochia, providing archaeological evidence for the historical importance of these campaigns in Greek memory.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Thucydides' detailed description of troop movements and geography reflect his emphasis on accurate historical reporting? What does this tell us about his methodology?
- Why might the Acarnanians have divided their forces rather than concentrating them at either Argos or Crenae? What does this suggest about Greek strategic thinking?
- How does the successful night march of Eurylochus demonstrate the importance of local knowledge and timing in ancient warfare?
- What role did regional alliances and ethnic loyalties play in the larger conflict between Athens and Sparta? How does this passage illustrate the 'proxy war' aspect of the Peloponnesian War?