παρεσκευάσθησαν—had been induced. This is undoubtedly the meaning, and it is common in the Orators, though there it generally implies underhand dealing. E.g. Dem. 20.145 πεισθεὶς ὑπὸ σοῦ διεγράψατο ἢ καὶ ὅλως ὑπὸ σοῦ παρεσκευάσθη; and παρασκευὴ constantly has a bad sense.
τὸν πεζὸν—for τὸν π. στρατόν. The ellipse of a masc. non-personal noun is rare. This one is found only in Herod and Thuc.
τῷ Σ. ποταμῷ—it gave its name to the ancient Sybaris, on the site of which Thurii now stood. Cf. the Gelas and Gela. The art. is usual when ποταμος is inserted with names of rivers. It is, however, often omitted by Herod. and now and then by Thuc.