Themistocles

525–462 BC

THEMISTOCLES STANDS BEFORE ARTAXERXES I.

Themistocles is one of the most interesting, and complicated characters of Ancient times. He is often compared to Aristides, and as far as personal qualities of honesty and nobility of spirit, the comparison is unfavorable. But there is no character that did more to promote the interests of Athens and all of Greece during the Persian War era, through far-sighted judgment, courage, and patriotism. Like Miltiades, his contributions to the good of the state so far outweigh his somewhat ignoble ending, that he is remembered overwhelmingly as one of Athens greatest heroes.

Themistocles was born in relatively humble circumstances, and rose to influence entirely through personal qualities of intelligence and bravery. He distinguished himself at the Battle of Marathon, and in the years after the first Persian invasion, increased his influence until he was elected Archon in 483 B.C., the same year he arranged for his political rival, Aristides, to be ostracized. Themistocles saw clearly that Athens needed to be a first rate naval power in order to thrive economically and politically, and pushed Athens to take steps to build up its navy, and fortify its harbors. By the time the Persian invasion actually occurred, Athens had by far, the largest navy of the Greek allies, and many of the best pilots.

Although the Spartan Eurybiades was nominally in charge of the united fleet, Themistocles was at all times, the master-mind of the Greek navy, and the architect of its great victory of at Salamis. But the true historical interest in this great battle lies not only in the David vs. Goliath aspect, of a small determined navy overwhelming an far larger fleet, but in the human interest details of the war-room politics. Far from being a united group of like-minded patriots, the Greeks captains were at each others throats and hotly disputed strategy at every step, and Themistocles figured enormously in all aspects of the plots, persuasions and machinations that went on behind the scenes.

Key events during the life of Themistocles:

Year	Event
490 BC	Fought at the battle of Marathon.
489 BC	Miltiades dies, leaving Aristides and Themistocles as rival political leaders.
483 BC	Themistocles succeeds in having Aristides ostracized.
482 BC	Themistocles elected Archon: convinces Athens to build a navy of 200 ships and fortify harbors.
480 BC	Themistocles is an Admiral in Naval battles of Artemisium and Salamis.
480 BC	Themistocles is reconciled with Aristides.
479 BC	Persians are driven from Greece after the battle of Plataea.
478 BC	Athenians start to rebuilt their city. They build a wall against the wishes of Sparta.
477 BC	Foundation of Delian league.
476 BC	Charges of bribery and corruption are levied against Themistocles.
471 BC	Themistocles is ostracized and retired to Argos.
	Spartans levy more charges against Themistocles. He flies to Corcyra, and then to Asia Minor
465 BC	Themistocles arrives in Persia; meets with Artaxerxes.
	Retires to Megnesia in Asia Minor.
460 BC	Dies in exile.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Battle of Salamis  in	Xerxes  by  Jacob Abbott
Wooden Walls  in	Pictures from Greek Life and Story  by  Alfred J. Church
Traitor or Patriot  in	Pictures from Greek Life and Story  by  Alfred J. Church
In the Straits  in	Helmet and Spear  by  Alfred J. Church
Of the Preparations of the Greeks  in	The Story of the Persian War  by  Alfred J. Church
Of the Battle of Thermopylae (cont.)  in	The Story of the Persian War  by  Alfred J. Church
Of the Greeks at Salamis and of the City of Athens  in	The Story of the Persian War  by  Alfred J. Church
Savior of Athens  in	Tales of the Greeks: The Children's Plutarch  by  F. J. Gould
Preparations for Defense  in	The Story of the Greeks  by  H. A. Guerber
Battles of Salamis and Plataea  in	The Story of the Greeks  by  H. A. Guerber
Themistocles  in	Famous Men of Greece  by  John H. Haaren and A. B. Poland
How Themistocles Saved Greece  in	Greek Gods, Heroes, and Men  by  Caroline H. and Samuel B. Harding
Themistocles  in	Back Matter  by  books/horne/statesmen/_back.html
Themistocles  in	Our Young Folks' Plutarch  by  Rosalie Kaufman
Themistocles  in	Stories from Greek History  by  Ethelwyn Lemon
Battle of Artemisium  in	The Story of Greece  by  Mary Macgregor
Themistocles Deceives the Spartans  in	The Story of Greece  by  Mary Macgregor
Wooden Walls of Athens  in	Historical Tales: Greek  by  Charles Morris
Four Famous Men of Athens  in	Historical Tales: Greek  by  Charles Morris
The Wooden Walls  in	Stories of the Ancient Greeks  by  Charles D. Shaw
Great Persian Invasion  in	The Story of the Greek People  by  Eva March Tappan
Themistocles  in	Plutarch's Lives W. H. Weston  by

Image Links
Themistocles: From a bust in the Vatican.  in Pictures from Greek Life and Story	Themistocles  in The Story of the Greeks	Celebrated Greeks—II.  in Greatest Nations - Greece
Themistocles  in Back Matter	Themistocles and the Greek Captain  in Stories from Greek History	Ship dashed against ship, till the Persian dead strewed the deep like flowers.  in The Story of Greece
He stood silent before the king.  in The Story of Greece	Themistocles at the Persian Court  in Plutarch's Lives W. H. Weston

Contemporary	Short Biography
Eurybiades	Head of Spartan Fleet during the Persian War.
Xerxes	Raised an enormous army for Persian invasion of Greece. Defeated at Battle of Salamis.
Artemisia	Queen of Halicarnassas and Cos. One of Xerxes most trusted advisors and Generals.
Aristides	Athenian General and Statesman. Fought at Marathon, Salamis; created Delian League.
Pausanias	Spartan General who led Greece against Mardonius at the Battle of Plataea.
Sicinnus	Servant of Themistocles who delivered his messages to the Persian Admiral.