Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/116

 CXll THUCYDIDES TTOTaixiov, gathered from the previous sentence (scil. the Acheron and the Thyamis). It is worth while also to compare the description of the kingdom of the Odrysae in ii. 97, which, though not obscure, is cumbrous and very unlike the manner of a modern geographer. Considering the number of these errors and vague ex- pressions, and the probability that Thucydides from his imperfect means of knowledge would have fallen into them, is it worth while, for the sake of vindicating his credit, either to alter the text, or to assume changes in the face of nature unless there is actual proof of them in each particular case ? All that we can reasonably expect of him is that he should be a little in advance of his pre- decessors, not that he should vie with modern accuracy, or equally with a modern historian be alive to the value of topography, or realize the fulness and minuteness of detail which are required in a describer of places or of military movements.