Born circa 525 B.C.; died circa 460 B.C. Athenian state figure and general during the Greco-Persian Wars of 500–449.
Themistocles was elected archon in 493 and subsequently held the posts of archon and strategus a number of times. By his political reforms in 487 and 486 he furthered the democratization of the Athenian state structure. He introduced the use of lots to select archons and made members of the hippeis, the second highest Athenian census class, eligible for the archonship. He also freed the college of strategi from the control of the Areopagus.
As leader of the naval party, Themistocles attempted to turn Athens into a sea power. He fortified the harbor of Piraeus and built a navy of 200 triremes. His party represented the interests of the merchants, the artisans, and the poor. Themistocles was responsible for the creation of the Delian League in 477. He played a decisive role in organizing the Greek forces to fight the Persians and in leading them to victory. His triumphs over the invaders included the victory at Salamis in 480.
As a result of intrigues by the Athenian aristocracy, Themistocles was ostracized in 471. He was later accused of consorting with the Persians and of communicating secretly with the Spartan general Pausanias. These charges led to his condemnation by the Greek states. After moving from one city to another, he finally took refuge with the Persian king Artaxerxes I. Themistocles died in Magnesia, one of a number of cities in Asia Minor placed under his rule by Artaxerxes.