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τῆς δὲ ἑτέρης: short for τὰς δὲ τῆς ἑτέρης. Clearly each row of ships must have had anchors on both sides to keep it in place. H. is either stating this imperfectly or altogether omits these ordinary anchors in his anxiety to draw attention to those of special size and strength on the side of exposure. The north-east bridge would feel the gales from the Euxine, the south-west one those from the Aegean.

ἑσπέρης. The Hellespont just below Abydos runs north and south, but the opening to the Aegean is nearly due west, so H. here lays stress on this aspect, but rightly mentions the south as well as the west wind.

διέκπλοον ... ὑπόφαυσιν, ‘an opening or passage through,’ clearly in both bridges available for small craft, which could ship their masts and pass under the cables.

τριχοῦ: three openings are unlikely, though two might be useful. Hence the emendation τριηρέων (with or without διχοῦ) seems necessary.

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