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The Histories

§18.41a.1-18.41a.2

Rhodian Vigilance and Antiochus's Aim for Ephesus

On the background of the Rhodians trying to block King Antiochus's passage, and the reasons why King Antiochus strongly desired Ephesus due to its strategic value.

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§18.41a.1

κωλύειν1 δὲ τὸν Ἀντίοχον παραπλεῖν, οὐκ ἀπεχθείας χάριν, ἀλλʼ ὑφορώμενοι2 μὴ Φιλίππῳ συνεπισχύσας ἐμπόδιον γένηται τῇ τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἐλευθερίᾳ. —

[The Rhodians] tried to prevent Antiochus from sailing past, not out of enmity, but because they were suspicious that, by helping Philip, he might become an obstacle to the liberty of the Greeks. —

§18.41a.2

ὅτι Ἀντίοχος ὁ βασιλεὺς πάνυ ὠρέγετο τῆς Ἐφέσου διὰ τὴν εὐκαιρίαν, τῷ δοκεῖν3 μὲν κατὰ τῆς Ἰωνίας καὶ τῶν ἐφʼ Ἑλλησπόντου πόλεων καὶ κατὰ γῆν καὶ κατὰ θάλατταν ἀκροπόλεως ἔχειν θέσιν, κατὰ δὲ τῆς Εὐρώπης ἀμυντήριον ὑπάρχειν ἀεὶ τοῖς Ἀσίας βασιλεῦσιν εὐκαιρότατον. —

​That King Antiochus eagerly coveted Ephesus because of its advantageous position, since on the one hand it seemed to occupy the position of an acropolis against Ionia and the cities on the Hellespont both by land and by sea, and on the other hand to be always a most convenient stronghold against Europe for the kings of Asia. —

Syntax notes3 items
  1. 18.41a.1κωλύειν

    Historical infinitive functioning as the main verb (or depending on an omitted main verb). The implied subject is the Rhodians (Ῥόδιοι).

  2. 18.41a.1ὑφορώμενοι

    A participle meaning "being suspicious" or "fearing," which introduces a fear clause with the subjunctive (μὴ ... γένηται, "lest he should become...").

  3. 18.41a.2τῷ δοκεῖν

    Dative of the articular infinitive expressing cause ("because it seemed"). Two infinitives, ἔχειν and ὑπάρχειν, depend on this δοκεῖν in contrast with each other (μὲν ... δὲ ...).

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-05-25) · Revision history (1, latest 2026-10-09)
  • 2026-10-09 Collated with the printed edition — source 1
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:18.41a.1-18.41a.2