This was the only ground of that war in which they engaged with the Nephelogetes against the Aleopolitanes, a little before our time; for the merchants of the former having, as they thought, met with great injustice among the latter, which (whether it was in itself right or wrong) drew on a terrible war, in which many of their neighbours were engaged; and their keenness in carrying it on being supported by their strength in maintaining it, it not only shook some very flourishing states and very much afflicted others, but, after a series of much mischief ended in the entire conquest and slavery of the Aleopolitanes, who, though before the war they were in all respects much superior to the Nephelogetes, were yet subdued; but, though the Utopians had assisted them in the war, yet they pretended to no share of the spoil. The purpose of this passage is to provide an

analogy to compare the military might of the Utopians to that of other cultures.
anecdote to illustrate the circumstances under which Utopians go to war.
example to explain why the Utopians should be feared as superior warriors.
exciting fact to show the passion with which Utopians fight their enemies.