Themistocles

Statesman and military leader

Born: c. 524 b. c.e.; Athens, Greece

Died: c. 460 b. c.e.; Magnesia, Asia Minor (now in Turkey)

Category: Military; government and politics

Life The outstanding Athenian statesman of his generation, Themistocles (thuh-MIHS-tuh-kleez) was known for his vainglory as well as his foresight and resourcefulness. An archon in 493 b. c.e., he was chiefly responsible for Athens having a navy of two hundred triremes when Xerxes I invaded Greece in 480 b. c.e. Themistocles’ strategy enabled the Greeks to

Themistocles.

(Library of Congress)

Trap and destroy the Persian armada in the straits between Attica and the island of Salamis (480 b. c.e.). He was instrumental in restoring and expanding the fortifications of Athens after the Persians retreated from Greece.

Themistocles was ostracized about 472 b. c.e. In exile, he began fomenting opposition to Sparta in the Peloponnese. With Spartan connivance, his political enemies at Athens then charged him with Medism (collaborating with Persia), and he was condemned to death in absentia. He escaped to the east, however, and Xerxes’ successor granted him asylum and a fiefdom in Asia Minor, where he lived prosperously for the rest of his life.

Influence Themistocles’ advocacy of a strong navy, a well-fortified city, and opposition to Sparta foreshadowed the policies of his successor, Pericles.

Further Reading

De Souza, Philip. The Greek and Persian Wars, 499-386 B. C. New York: Routledge, 2003.

Herodotus. The Histories. Translated by Robin Waterfield. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Keaveney, Arthur. The Life and Journey of Athenian Statesman Themisto-cles (524-460 B. C.?) as a Refugee in Persia. Lewiston, NY.: E. Mellen Press, 2003.

Scott-Kilvert, I., trans. The Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives by Plutarch. New York: Penguin, I960.

Strassler, Robert B., ed. The Landmark Thucydides. Vols. 1-2. New York: Free Press, 1996.

Strauss, Barry. The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter That Saved Greece—and Western Civilization. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004.

Hubert M. Martin, Jr.

See also: Athens; Greco-Persian Wars; Military History of Athens; Navigation and Transportation; Salamis, Battle of; Themistocles’ Naval Law;

Trireme; Xerxes I; Warfare Before Alexander.