Definition: Themistocles was an Athenian statesman (c. 524-459 B.C.), leader of the Athenians during the Persian War in 480/79, and archon in Athens in either 493-92 or 483-82. Anticipating Persian attack, Themistocles favored fortifying the Piraeus. Themistocles was elected general of his tribe in 490, the same year as the Battle of Marathon.
When his chief rival Aristides was ostracized, Themistocles gained power in Attica. In 483 Themistocles persuaded the Athenians to spend their new-found wealth from silver mines to strengthen their naval force and build triremes. In 480 General Themistocles led an Athenian naval force and played a decisive role in the Battle of Salamis.
After the Persian War, in 476, Themistocles, as chorus-leader, won first prize in an Athenian production of a tragedy of Phrynicus. Themistocles was ostracized soon after (between 476-471). He was proclaimed a traitor and fled to Asia Minor where the Persians, against whom Themistocles had formerly fought, received him and granted him a livelihood.
