Themistocles

Lore & Background

Themistocles was an Athenian politician and general who rose to prominence in the early years of Athenian democracy, representing a new class of non-aristocratic leaders. A populist, he drew support from lower-class Athenians and frequently clashed with the nobility. He was elected archon in 493 BC and consistently advocated for expanding Athens’ naval power. He fought at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, possibly as one of the ten Athenian generals. In the years following Marathon, he became Athens’ most influential politician, persuading the city in 483 BC to build a fleet of 200 triremes, which proved decisive during the second Persian invasion. He commanded the Athenian navy at Artemisium and Salamis in 480 BC, using subterfuge to lure the Persian fleet into the Straits of Salamis, a victory that turned the tide of the war. After the conflict, he ordered the re-fortification of Athens, arousing Spartan hostility, and his perceived arrogance alienated many Athenians. He was ostracized around 472 or 471 BC and exiled to Argos. The Spartans implicated him in the treason of their general Pausanias, forcing him to flee Greece. Alexander I of Macedon gave him temporary sanctuary at Pydna before he traveled to Asia Minor, where he entered the service of the Persian king Artaxerxes I and was made governor of Magnesia. He died around 459 BC, likely of natural causes. His reputation was later rehabilitated, and he is remembered as instrumental in saving Greece from Persia. His naval policies laid the foundation for Athens’ maritime empire and golden age. Thucydides praised his extraordinary genius. Themistocles was born around 524 BC in the Attic deme of Phrearrhii, son of Neocles, an unremarkable man, and a mother of obscure origins—either Euterpe or Abrotonum, from Halicarnassus, Thrace, or Acarnania. Considered an outsider due to his mother’s background, his family lived in the immigrant district of Cynosarges. As a child, he cunningly persuaded well-born boys to exercise with him there, breaking down social distinctions. His teacher predicted he would become something great, for good or evil. He married Archippe, daughter of Lysander, and had three sons—Archeptolis, Polyeuctus, and Cleophantus—plus two older sons, Neocles (who died young from a horse bite) and Diocles (adopted by his grandfather). His daughters included Mnesiptolema, Italia, Sybaris, Nicomache

Reader's Guide

Themistocles was a populist leader who drew support from lower-class Athenians, often clashing with the nobility, and his political career centered on expanding Athens’ naval power. After fighting at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, he became the city’s most influential politician, persuading Athens in 483 BC to construct a fleet of 200 triremes. During the second Persian invasion, he commanded the Athenian navy at Artemisium and Salamis in 480 BC, where his deception lured the Persian fleet into the Straits of Salamis, securing a decisive Greek victory that turned the war. Following the conflict, he ordered the re-fortification of Athens, which provoked Spartan hostility, and his perceived arrogance alienated many Athenians. Ostracized in 472 or 471 BC, he fled to Argos, then to Pydna under Alexander I of Macedon, and finally to Asia Minor, where he served the Persian king Artaxerxes I as governor of Magnesia until his death in 459 BC, likely from natural causes. His reputation was later rehabilitated, and he is credited as the man most instrumental in saving Greece from Persia. His naval policies established maritime power as the foundation of the Athenian Empire and golden age. Thucydides praised him as a man of unparalleled genius.

Did You Know?

• Themistocles was one of the first non-aristocratic politicians to rise to prominence in Athenian democracy.
• He was considered a populist and had the support of lower-class Athenians.
• His naval policies made maritime power the cornerstone of the Athenian Empire and golden age.
• Thucydides described him as exhibiting 'the most indubitable signs of genius.'

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"I never learned how to tune a harp, or play upon a lute; but I know how to raise a small and inconsiderable city to glory and greatness." — Themistocles "Variant translation: 'Tis true, I never learned how to tune a harp, or play upon a lute, but I know how to raise a small and inconsiderate city to glory and greatness." — Themistocles "May I never sit on a tribunal where my friends shall not find more favor from me than strangers." — Themistocles "For the Athenians command the rest of Greece, I command the Athenians; your mother commands me, and you command your mother." — Themistocles