[23] The Nessus, or Nestus, is now called Mesto by the Greeks, and Karasu by the Turks.
[24] Now known as the Balkan. The defiles mentioned by Arrian are probably what was afterwards called Porta Trajani. Cf. Vergil (Georg., ii. 488); Horace (Carm., i. 12, 6).
[25] πεποίηντο:—Arrian often forms the pluperfect tense without the augment. διασκεδάσουσι:—The Attic future of this verb is διασκεδῶ. Cf. Aristoph. (Birds, 1053).
[26] The Agrianes were a tribe of Eastern Paeonia who lived near the Triballians. They served in the Macedonian army chiefly as cavalry and light infantry.
[27] Perhaps Neapolis and Eion, which were the harbours of Philippi and Amphipolis.
[28] This officer was commander of the royal body-guard. His father was Parmenio, the most experienced of Alexander’s generals.
[29] Thucydides says (Bk. ii. 96): “On the side of the Triballians, who were also independent, the border tribes were the Trerians and the Tilatæans, who live to the north of mount Scombrus, and stretch towards the west as far as the river Oscius. This river flows from the same mountains as the Nestus and the Hebrus, an uninhabited and extensive range, joining on to Rhodope.” The Oscius is now called Isker. It is uncertain which river is the Lyginus; but perhaps it was another name for the Oscius.
[30] Also named Danube. Cf. Hesiod (Theog., 339); Ovid (Met., ii. 249); Pindar (Olym. iii. 24).
[31] It is uncertain in what part of the Danube this island was. It cannot be the Peuce of Strabo (vii, 3). Cf. Apollonius Rhodius (iv. 309); Martialis (vii. 84); Valerius Flaccus (viii. 217).
[32] These two generals are mentioned (iii. 11 infra) as being present at the battle of Arbela. Sopolis is also mentioned (iv. 13 and 18 infra).