Life
- Born as an ordinary Athenian citizen (rose to influence through personal qualities)
- Lived ~524‒460 BC
- After Miltiades dies, Aristides and him are left as rival political leaders
- He succeeds in having Aristides ostracized (he later reconciles with him)
- Elected as archon in 482 BC
- Convinces Athens to build a navy of 200 ships and fortify harbor
Persian Wars
- Admiral in naval battle of Atemisium and Salamis
Ostracization
- In 476 BC, charges of bribery and corruption are levied against him
- He is ostracized and retires to Argos
- Spartans levy more charges against him
- He goes into Asia Minor and dies in exile
