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μαρτύρια. The citing of the evidence on both sides is an interesting advance on H.'s usual practice of merely giving both stories (cf. Introduction, § 27). The positive evidence alleged by Sybaris would in itself outweigh the negative proofs of Croton (Freeman, S. ii. 91). But it is noticeable that H. apparently has not seen the shrine by the Crathis (contrast § 2 τὰ καὶ ἐς ἐμὲ ἔτι ἐνέμοντο οἱ Καλλίεω ἀπόγονοι), and the connexion of Dorieus with the campaign is best regarded as an attempt on the part of the oracle to justify the failure of its prediction that he would succeed.

For a similar unsuccessful Delphic crusade for Hellenism in the West, followed by a similar excuse, cf. i. 165, 167 nn.

τὸν ξηρὸν Κρᾶθιν, ‘the dry bed of the Crathis’. Sybaris lay between two streams, the Crathis (cf. i. 145 n.) and its tributary the Sybaris. The Crotoniates, when they destroyed the city, diverted the Crathis on to the site so as to destroy all the buildings (Strabo 263). Cf. also Diod. xi. 90; xii. 9; Lenormant, La Grande Grèce, i. 223, 290.

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