Circa 524-460 B.C.E.
Athenian Statesman And Naval Commander

Hero or Villain? The most controversial figure in the Greeks' struggle against the Persians was Themistocles. One historian, Herodotus, accused him of corruption; another, Thucydides, admired him for his far-sightedness and thought him one of the greatest men of his generation. Whatever the historical verdict, Themistocles is one of several Athenian leaders whose great accomplishments only seem to have foreshadowed their downfall at the hands of the people.

Early Life. Historians believe that the family origins of Themistocles made him have strong democratic sympathies. While his father, Neocles, belonged to the aristocratic Lycomid family, his mother was a concubine and possibly not even Greek. As a result, Themistocles did not receive citizenship until 508, when Cleisthenes made it possible for all free men in Athens to become citizens.

Naval Program. In 493 he was elected archon and soon thereafter...