It would, perhaps, be a mistake to lay too much stress on the indications of date in Herodotus with reference to the somewhat crowded incidents of this time. The actual dates cannot be settled, though it is possible to arrive at some idea of Herodotus’ views as to the sequence of events.
(a.) The Greek spies were sent to Asia at the time when Xerxes’ army was collected at Sardes (vii. 146).
(b.) The embassies to Gelo, Argos, etc., were sent after the despatch of the spies (vii. 146, ad init., 148, ad init.).
(c.) Gelo, after the departure of the joint embassy (vii. 163), and when he heard that Xerxes had crossed the Hellespont (ibid.), sent the treasure-ships to Delphi.
(d.) Before he sent these vessels he knew that he had to expect a Carthaginian attack (vii. 165, ad fin.).
The evidence is inconclusive. We lack the means of deciding the sequence of the departure of the embassy and of the acquisition of the information with regard to the coming of the Carthaginian expedition.
[107] Bergk, “Pœtæ Lyrici Græci,” Ed. 4, v. iii. p. 485: Πολλὴν δὲ παρασχεῖν σύμμαχον Ἕλλησιν χεῖρ᾿ ἐς ἐλευθερίην.
[108] Vide Note at end of chapter.
[109] Livy, xxxvi. 15—“Hoc jugum (Œta) ab Leucate et man ad occidentem verso per Ætoliam ad alterum mare orienti objectum tendens ea aspreta rupesque interjectas habet, ut non modo exercitus sed ne expediti quidem facile ullas ad transitum calles inveniant;” and again (Livy, xxxvi. 17), Acilius Glabrio, speaking of Thermopylæ, “Quippe portæ sunt hæ, et unus inter duo maria clausis omnibus velut naturalis transitus est.”
[110] There is considerable mule traffic through it at the present day.