THUCYDIDES BOOK I EDITED BY E. C. MARCHANT, M.A. FELLOW AND TUTOR OF LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED PREFACE THE Greek text of this book I. is reprinted, by kind permission, from that of Mr. Stuart Jones in the Oxford series. Some years ago I prepared a text; but, on comparing the Oxford text with my own, I found that mine seldom differed from it, and it seemed better to follow the new text as it stands, merely noting the few passages in which I am unable to agree with Mr. Stuart Jones. For the permission so readily accorded I tender my best thanks. Fifteen years have passed since the first instalment of this school edition was published. It was intended to include books I., II., III., and the Sicilian Expedition. In this long period blind admiration of the author has sobered down into a clearer appreciation, as I hope, both of his greatness and of his defects. I do not think now that the adverse portions of Dionysius' criticism can be dismissed as absurd. Where he goes wrong, he is misled by his rhetorical instinct, as when he makes the startling statement that the |