Abstract: Proper understanding of Iphicrates’ stratagem at Polyaenus 3.9.38, marred by a lacuna, can be derived from Leo Tact. 20.196, where anchoring a fleet off a harborless coastline is described. Emending Polyaenus’ text from the reading of a later MS also clarifies the anecdote's meaning. Leo knew the full text of Polyaenus, since Polyaenus 3.9.38 does not occur in the abbreviated Excepta Polyaeni, which some recently suggest replaced the Strategica in Byzantine use of Polyaenus.

Keywords: Iphicrates, Polyaenus, Leo, Strategica.

Artaxerxes II's attempt to recover Egypt in 374-373 B.C. with a combined force of Greek mercenaries and Persians fell victim to the bickering of its commanders, Iphicrates and Pharnabazus. A major joint military and naval expedition it was. From 377 or 376 B.C. there assembled at Ace (Acco, Acre, Ptolemais) in Phoenicia (allegedly) 200,000 Persians, 20,000 Greek mercenaries, 300 triremes and 200 triaconters. Diodorus (15.41-45) provides the fullest narrative (from Ephorus?), to be supplemented by tidbits of Trogus (Prol. 10), Nepos (Iphic. 2.4), Plutarch (Aratax. 24.1), and Polyaenus’ Strategica. Iphicrates, the most ruse of all generals in Polyaenus with 63 stratagems to his credit, distinguished himself in four exempla from this campaign in the stratagem collector's compendium (3.9.38, 56, 59, 63). Polyaenus 3.9.38, marred by a lacuna and misinterpreted in two recent translations, demands re-examination.