T. G. Tucker, Commentary on Thucydides: Book 8

ἐπικαθελὼν κ.τ.λ. In c. 16, § 3, the imperfect καθῄρουν implies that the work was not completed. ἐπι-=‘proceeding further with.’

τὸ ἐν τῇ Τέῳ τεῖχος Stahl having made (c. 16, § 3) τῆς Τηίων πόλεως depend on τεῖχος (instead of on τὸ πρὸς ἤπειρον) finds a difficulty. This expression, he says, could only mean ‘arcem in urbe sitam’ or ‘apud Teum,’ and neither of these suits his purpose. Yet the latter is right. The wall is a διατείχισμα across the isthmus. It is not ‘the wall of Teos’ but ‘the wall in the territory of Teos.’ Cf. iv. 5, ὁ στρατὸς ἔτι ἐν ταῖς Ἀθήναις ὤν; v. 55, ἐν τῇ Ἐπιδαύρῳ; vii. 1, ἐν Ἱμέρᾳ, and frequently.

ὥστε introducing the terms of a compact; cf. iv. 37, etc.

οὐκ ἐλάμβανε ‘was making no progress in taking.’