ABSTRACT
For, wrote Thucydides, to pass through Thessaly under arms and unescorted presented difficulties and throughout Greece to pass through neighbouring territory without permission was a matter for suspicion. Gomme, in his commentary on that passage in Thucydides, asked for what class of reader was it written that it was not usual to march through the territory of any Greek state without its consent and that such conduct would everywhere arouse suspicion. At the time of the Persian invasions of Greece the Thessalian leaders were sympathetic to the Persians and Thorax of Larissa helped to escort Xerxes in his flight and gave Mardo-nius a passage into Greece. It was consistent with etiquette and prudence to make a formal request before proceeding with an armed force through alien territory, even if only to allay fear and suspicion and to secure favourable conditions.
