(i)  §  I.  tSk  Se  .  .  .  TTpov^r).  The  Median  War  was  the  greatest  war
of  previous  times,  but  this  was  decided  quickly  in  two  naval  and  two
land  battles.  The  war  Thucydides  is  about  to  describe  was  a  pro-
tracted one.
(2)  §  I.  TradrjiiaTa  .  .  .  xpova  :  this  was  marked  by  disasters  to  Greece
such  as  had  never  occurred  within  an  equal  space  of  time  : —

£.£■.  (a)  §  2.  ovTe  .  .  .  akia-K6)i€vai :  Desolation  of  cities,  either  by
barbarians,  or  by  reason  of  strife  between  Hellenes  them-
selves. (Some  after  their  capture  were  repeopled  by  new
inhabitants.)

(b)  §  2.  oiVc  .  .  .  a-racnd^eiv  :  Exile  and  slaughter  due  to  war  or
civil  strife.
(c)  §  3-  a-eia-fiav  .  .  .  iiriaxov  :    Earthquakes    of   unparalleled
violence  and  extent.
(d)  §  3.  riKiov  .  .  .  ^vv(^r](Tav  :  Eclipses  of  the  sun  more  numerous
than  in  former  times.
(e)  §  3.  avx/ioi  .  .  .  Xijuoi  :  Droughts  causing  famines.
(f)  §  3.  Km  T)  .  .  .  vocros  :  Last  and  not  least,  the  Plague.
