H. Sharpley, Demosthenes: Olynthiacs I, II, III

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ἐκνενευρισμένοι, “have had your sinews ripped out.” The metaphor is strange to English, and we can scarcely do justice to the idea of moral deterioration implied in the loss of “fibre.” It is highly improbable that “sinews of war” are meant, though this view has met with some support owing to the next words (περιῃρ. χρημ.).

ἐν ὑπηρ. . . . γεγένησθε, “have been reduced to the position of mere servants and appendages.” Cf. ii. 18, ἐν οὐδενὸς μέρει. ii. 14, ἐν προσθήκῃ.

Βοηδρόμια πέμψωσιν, “celebrate the procession of the Boedromia.” This festival was held on the 6th day of the month Βοηδρομιών (about September 26), in honour of Apollo Βοηδρόμιος (Helper in battle), and Artemis the Huntress. It commemorated a mythical Athenian victory, but whether that gained by Theseus over the Amazons or by Erectheus over Eumolpus is uncertain. There is a curious reading Βοΐδια given for Βοηδρόμια by ancient citers of Demosthenes: it is probably due to a copyist who did not understand the above use of πέμπειν.

τὸ πάντων ἀνδρειότατον, “bravest thing of all,” in apposition to the next clause. Demosthenes here puts ironically what he had said above seriously in ἐκνενευρισμένοι.

αὐτῶν does not, of course, agree with τῶν ὑμετέρων. Cf. ii. 24.

οἱ δέ, demonstrative.

καθείρξαντες. The people are “cooped up” in the city like animals in a cage, to be tamed.

ἐπάγουσιν ἐπὶ ταῦτα, “coax you on to these enjoyments.” The same metaphor is kept up to the end of the sentence.