Jacob Rogers-Martin

Senior Project Paper

11/24/08

Themistocles

The Persian War was a watershed moment in the Athenian subconscious. The victory of Greek beliefs of democracy and freedom over the far more dominant forces of tyranny and subjugation, fixed a dignified and god-given purpose in the Greek mindset. This period of history became known as the Greek "Golden Age," an age that engendered several cultural movements that became the cornerstones of Western civilization.

Themistocles was a key figure in the dawning of the Golden Age. After being appointed the archon in 493 BC, Themistocles convinced the Athenians that naval expansion would be more beneficial in their defense system than ground attack. This decision aided in their defeat of Xerxes's Persians at the battle of Salamis, and was a catalyst leading to the Greek “Golden Age.”  

        Themistocles was born in a village named Phrearrhioi on the costal area of Attica. It was stated in Plutarch's, Life of Themistocles that he was “of a vehement and impetuous nature, of a quick apprehension, and a strong and aspiring bent for action and great affairs.” (Plutarch)Themistocles' master often told him, "You, my boy, will be nothing small, but great one way or other, for good or else for bad." (Larsen, pg. 82) This prophecy was not fulfilled until Themistocles and Aristides (the just) entered office in 493 BC to fill the political void left by battle of Marathon hero, Miltiades.

        Athens' political system was in shambles and in need of a new political leader. They were knee deep in conflict with the island, Aegina, which threatened to obliterate Athenian commerce, and they were in conflict with the emerging eastern power, Persia. In addition to this, Themistocles and Aristides were in a dispute over military expansion. Aristides fought for an augmentation in the ground attack while Themistocles advocated a policy of naval expansion. Themistocles angrily made a movement to ostracize Aristides to gain the majority vote of the Athenian Assembly in favor of his strategic scheme. In 483 BC Themistocles successfully arranged the ostracism of Aristides and won over the Athenian Assembly, persuading them to fortify the coasts and invest in a naval defense system. At this time a vein of silver was discovered in Laurion (east of Athens). Normally when silver or any other monetary metal was found, the government would give every citizen a portion of the wealth; however, Themistocles proposed an alternate plan. To counteract the threats issued by Persia, he recommended that they use the silver to build warships.

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The Persian's, then led by Darius The Great, had just subjugated the Ionian Greeks, who were famous for developing a new three level warship known as the "Trireme" which was destined to change naval warfare for years to come. Themistocles, using his vast intellect and clever rhetoric, convinced the Athenian People's Assembly once again, this time to take the Ionian's naval blueprint and build 100-200 Triremes.

        Darius the Great had just been succeeded by Xerxes who had marched the Persian troops through Thrace and Macedonia, had defeated the Spartans at Thermopylae (the battle in the critically acclaimed movie 300), ...

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