Callimachus (polemarch)

This article is about the Athenian polemarch at the Battle of Marathon. For the poet, see Callimachus. For the sculptor, see Callimachus (sculptor). For the Renaissance scholar, see Filip Callimachus.

Callimachus (Καλλίμαχος) was polemarch in Athens in 490 BC, and was one of the commanders at the Battle of Marathon. As polemarch, Callimachus had a vote in military affairs along with the 10 strategoi, the generals, such as Miltiades. Miltiades convinced Callimachus to vote in favour of a battle when the strategoi were split evenly on the matter.

At Marathon, Callimachus commanded the right wing of the Athenian army. The right and left wings (the left wing commanded by the Plataeans) surrounded the Persians after a seemingly suicidal charge by the center line. Although the Greeks were victorious, Callimachus was killed during the fighting. His arm was allegedly hacked off by an axe; he presumably died from this injury.

Further reading

• Twenty Decisive Battles of the World. 
• Don Nardo. Battles of the Ancient World.