Themistocles biography definition

Athenian politician and general (c. – BC)

For other people named Themistocles, see Themistocles (disambiguation).

Themistocles (; Ancient Greek: Θεμιστοκλῆς; c.&#;&#;– c.&#;&#;BC)^[1][2] was an Athenian politician and general.

He was one of a new breed of non-aristocratic politicians who rose to prominence in the early years of the Athenian democracy.

Themistocles biography definition and example

As a politician, Themistocles was a populist, having the support of lower-class Athenians, and generally being at odds with the Athenian nobility. Elected archon in &#;BC, he convinced the polis to increase the naval power of Athens, a recurring theme in his political career.

During the first Persian invasion of Greece, he fought at the Battle of Marathon^[3] (&#;BC), and may have been one of the ten Athenian strategoi (generals) in that battle.

In the years after Marathon, and in the run-up to the second Persian invasion of –&#;BC, Themistocles became the most prominent politician in