450–449 BC · Cyprus and eastern Mediterranean Theater
450–449 BC
Cimon led the Delian League's last great eastern campaign to Cyprus, aiming to liberate the island's Greek cities from Persian rule. He won naval and land battles near Salamis-in-Cyprus, but died during the siege of Citium — either of disease or a wound — at around 70 years old. The fleet, following his dying orders, continued fighting and won further victories before withdrawing. Shortly afterward, Athens and Persia concluded the Peace of Callias, formally ending the wars. Persia pledged to keep its fleet out of the Aegean; Athens agreed to stop raiding Persian territory.
Commanders