History of the Peloponnesian War

This treaty was concluded at the end of the winter, when the spring was commencing, immediately after the city festival of Bacchus, when just ten years had elapsed [*]( For an instance παραφέρω, used in this intransitive sense, like διαφέρω, compare Dionys. Hal. Ant. I. 27, p. 73, Reiske, τούτων ἡ γλῶσσα ὀλίγον παραφέρει; as quoted in Bloomfield's note, 2nd edition.) with the variation of a few days, since the invasion of Attica was first made, and this war commenced.

But let every one regard this with reference to the periods of time, and not, as placing greater confidence in such a view, with respect to the enumeration of the public officers in the several places, or of the titles derived from any honourable appointment which serve to mark past events. For that gives no definite idea, as to who were in the commencement of their office, or in the middle of it, or whatever part it might be, when any event occurred.

But if he reckon by summers and winters, as I have written my history, he will find [*]( Literally, having the virtue, or sum, of the year in half measure. ) that while each of these amounts to half a year, there were ten summers and as many winters included in this first war.