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Λίβυες. With their leathern dress (cp. 4. 168, 189 and my notes) are quite true to the ‘Libyan Logi,’ but the total ahsence of any reference here to that extensive treatise bears out the hypothesis that this passage is of earlier composition; cp. Introduction, §§ 7, 8.
ἐπικαύτοισι. Cp. c. 74 infra; otherwise a ἄπαξ λ. (praeustus). These throwing sticks are poor weapons against hoplites! And where are the ostrichshields (4. 175)? The war-chariots (4. 170, 183) of the Libyan Logi reappear indeed in c. 86 infra; but the shields were apparently unknown to Hdt. when he wrote this passage. Cp. preceding note.
Μασσάγην τὸν Ὀαρίζου. Neither father nor son is otherwise of fame, but the names are a little curious. Massa- has a somewhat Libyan ring in it, but might better be referred (as the name of a Persian) to the same group as Μασσαγέται, Μάσσαγα, Μάσσανοι, (Μασσάγης): while the father's name recalls the river Ὄαρος (4. 123 f.) which at any rate was within range of the Massageta<*>. The form Ὀάρσης is given as a name for Artaxerxes Mnemon (Dmon ap. Plutarch, Artax. 1).
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