We have now found a perfectly natural interpretation of Thucydides' words, in the light of which all that he says is consistent and reasonable. To take the passage in any other way leads to quite unnecessary difficulties. The meaning and implications of the vital word anankasai ('compel') in 1.23.6 remain to be clarified, but it is better to postpone discussion of this until we have considered the two parallel passages: 1.88 and 1.118.2.