Themistocles
The Athenian general who saved Greece from Persia through naval strategy.
Themistocles (c. 524 – c. 459 BC) was an Athenian politician and general. He was a populist who rose to prominence in the early years of Athenian democracy, advocating for a strong navy. He fought at the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) and commanded the Athenian navy at Artemisium and Salamis (480 BC), where his subterfuge lured the Persian fleet into the Straits of Salamis, leading to a decisive Greek victory. After the Persian Wars, he was ostracized in 472 or 471 BC and eventually entered the service of the Persian king Artaxerxes I, becoming governor of Magnesia, where he lived until his death.
- born
- c. 524 BC, Attic deme of Phrearrhii
- died
- c. 459 BC, Magnesia (natural causes)
- field
- Politics, military command
- nationality
- Athenian Greek
- known_for
- Advocating for a strong Athenian navy; commanding at Salamis; re-fortifying Athens after the Persian wars
Lore & Background
Themistocles was born around 524 BC in the Attic deme of Phrearrhii, son of Neocles. His mother's name was either Euterpe or Abrotonum, from Halicarnassus, Thrace, or Acarnania. He was considered an outsider due to his mother's background. He married Archippe and had three sons (Archeptolis, Polyeuctus, Cleophantus) and two older sons (Neocles, who died young, and Diocles, adopted by his grandfather). He also had daughters: Mnesiptolema, Italia, Sybaris, Nicomache, and Asia. After his death, his nephew Phrasicles married Nicomache and took charge of Asia.
Reader's Guide
Themistocles was elected archon in 493 BC and convinced Athens to increase naval power. In 483 BC he persuaded the Athenians to build 200 triremes. He fought at Marathon (490 BC) and commanded at Artemisium and Salamis (480 BC). After the war, he ordered the re-fortification of Athens, arousing Spartan hostility. He was ostracized in 472 or 471 BC and fled to Argos, then to Pydna (given sanctuary by Alexander I of Macedon), and finally to Asia Minor, where he served Artaxerxes I as governor of Magnesia. He died in 459 BC, probably of natural causes.
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
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