Cimon of Athens

Biography

Cimon was the son of Miltiades — hero of Marathon — and carried his father's instincts for bold offensive action to a new generation. Raised in poverty after his father's disgrace and death in prison, he rose through military courage to become Athens's foremost general of the 470s and 460s BC, the man who transformed the Delian League from a defensive alliance into an Athenian instrument for driving Persia from the Aegean permanently. His greatest achievement was the Battle of the Eurymedon (c. 466 BC), where he won simultaneous victories on land and sea in a single day, destroying the Persian fleet and army at the Pamphylian coast. He planted Athenian colonies on the northern Aegean coasts, cleared pirates from the islands, and kept the tribute flowing that funded Athens's golden age. He was also known for personal generosity — opening his orchards to all comers and feeding the Athenian poor. Politically he backed the Spartan alliance, believing the two powers could coexist as land and sea hegemonies respectively. When this policy failed — Sparta expelled an Athenian force Cimon had brought to help suppress a helot revolt — he was ostracised. Recalled when the policy of confrontation with Sparta also failed, he died during his last campaign, besieging Citium in Cyprus, at around 60 years old. He was the last great champion of the Persian Wars generation.

Key Battles