ἡ ξύμπασα ὁδὸς—Holm says that this refers to the whole of the march ever since they left Lysimeleia. Freeman however refers it to what immediately precedes about πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν. He thinks that it was the road leading eventually to Catana that the Syr. had specially blocked. But neither view is satisfactory. It is clear that ἡ ξύμπασα ὁδὸς αὕτη (1) is contrasted with τὴν αὐτὴν ὁδὸν ᾗ διενοήθησαν, (2) implies nothing of necessity as to their previous purpose, being a geographical note about ἡ πρὸς τὴν θάλασσαν ὁδός. Thuc. does not say that the A. no longer hoped to reach Catana, but that this road did not lead ultimately in that direction. The intention of the A. was throughout the same— ἀποχωρεῖν ᾗ ἂν τάχιστα μέλλωσί τινος χωρίου . . . φιλίου ἀντιλήψεσθαι c. 60.2, whether circumstances offered Catana or any other place. (It is futile to discuss whether they intended ultimately to reach Catana or not. Probably the question was never discussed by them.)
