Cimon

For other uses, see Cimon (disambiguation).

Cimon
Allegiance	Athens
Rank	General (Strategos)
Battles/wars	Battle of Salamis Battle of Salamis (in Cyprus) Persian Wars

Most important geographical locations, during Cimon's life.

Timeline

Cimon (Greek Κίμων, Kimōn) (510, Athens-450 BCE, Salamis), was an Athenian statesman and general, and a major political figure of the 470s BC and 460s BC in the ancient city-state (polis) of Athens.

Probably, Cimon was the most important artificer of the powerful Athenian maritime Empire, of the 5th century BC. This happened, even after the massive Persian invasion of Xerxes I (480 BC), which ravaged Attica, menacing with subjugating the entire Greece inescapably. Cimon survived this event, as a celebrated hero of the Battle of Salamis, whereas his father (Miltiades) had also been among the most important generals in the history of Athens.

Subsequently, Cimon was the Admiral, who conducted the utter fortification of the Athenian navy, inside the Delian League (which became synonym of Athenian Empire, indeed), at the Aegean Sea. These nations became mere tributary colonies of Athens, under its naval subjugation. Simultaneously, both Persia and Sparta were utterly pushed, out of this region. Never in history, Athens had attained better achievements.

However, during his entire political career, Cimon was mostly attentive, to the foreign Spartan caprices. This was due to many coincident factors, among which they can be found his aristocratic affiliation, his personal life, and the same Sparta (which sought opposing Themistocles, desperately). This foreign relatedness ended entangling his own political career, with his ostracism of 461 BC. Nonetheless, Cimon overcame such misfortune valiantly, offering both his life and his fellows' ones, confronting Sparta, after this nation dared to menace Attica, in 457 BC. Thus, the Athenians recalled Cimon in anticipation of his 10 year condemning term and, still, he mediated between both nations, obtaining a 5 year truce, in 451 BC.

Politically, Cimon led the Athenian aristocratic party, against the popular one of Pericles (who became his worst rival, in the political arena). Thus, Cimon opposed the democratic revolution of Ephialtes, who expected reforming those Athenian institutions, which were still within the aristocratic orbit.

Early Years

In 510 BC, Cimon was born in Athens, at Laciadae neighbor, among the Oenesis tribe. His birth was noble but his youth was quite complicated.

Cimon's father was the celebrated Athenian general Miltiades. Cimon used to participate in the military activities of his father and the Athenians recognized his figure, since then. However, Miltiades ended as an obscure man. He was fined for 50 talents, by the state, by a treason accusation. As Miltiades couldn't afford it, he died in jail. Then, Cimon, who was still too young, inherited the debt, with his sister Elpinice.

Cimon's mother was Hegesipyle. She was Thracian king Olorus' daughter. The historian Thucydides was her relative, as well.

His Unruly Youth

During his youth, Cimon had an uncontrollable personality so people disliked him. Particularly, he was given to wine. The Athenians said that he would end as his pitiful grandfather Cimon (who was known as The Stupid).

Indeed, Cimon didn't attain any liberal accomplishment during his youth. He received neither formal education nor any of the accomplishments, which were common in that epoch (like music). Thus, for instance, he lacked an appropriate oratory.

Nonetheless, Cimon was recognized as an amicable person, who was predisposed to aid needed people. Cimon had an imposing body. He liked growing his thick and curly hair long. Thus, Cimon used to fill a room, with his presence.

Cimon maintained a well known incestuous relationship, with his sister Elpinice. In their poverty, they lived as a couple whereas this was allowed by the Athenian law (although it wasn't decorous). When Cimon was imprisoned too, by his father's debts, the wealthy Callias took advantage of this, claiming for Elpinice. He would pay that sum up if she may marry him. Then, Cimon betrothed his sister, to him.

His Marriage

Further, Cimon was related a couple of romantic relationships (Asterie of Salamis and a woman, whose name was Mnestra). Nonetheless, Cimon fell in love, with Isodice, who was Megacles' granddaughter, marrying her. Cimon named his sons, in accord with his admiration to Sparta. The first children were twin and they were named Lacedaemonius (who was Athenian commander) and Eleus. The third son was Thessalus (who was politician). When Isodice passed away, Cimon was quite affected and this was reflected, by an ancient poem.

Early Military Career

The Battle of Salamis

• See main article: Battle of Salamis

Cimon defended Athens, when the Persians besieged Attica, in 480 BC. Already, Themistocles had decreed that all Athenians should evacuate the urban center, southward to the nearby islands. Together with his friends, Cimon flaunted through the Athenian Ceramicus as they would offer their horse bridles to the goddess Athena, at its temple. They were showing that, instead of the horsemen, the Athenian sailors would win the Persian war (in accord with the plans of Themistocles). Effectively, they left their harnesses at the temple and Cimon took a shield, from there. Then, they headed toward the seaport, enlisting there, as sailors. Many other Athenians were encouraged too, after this action.

During the Battle of Salamis, Cimon distinguished himself, by his bravery. Cimon's fame arose whereas the Athenians compared him to his father.

Around the Marmara Sea

In 478 BC, still Athens hadn't consolidated its naval power so both Cimon and Aristides followed the Spartan lead of Pausanias. With 50 battleships, after subduing most Cyprus, they captured Byzantium (at the Marmara Sea).

However, Pausanias' behavior was quite controversial. Suspiciously, he corresponded with Xerxes I, the Persian Emperor, whereas the Spartan was too arrogant, against the Greeks. Even, he lambasted with physical violence, before any disciplinary problem, whereas he applied a similar management, to the local colonists. Forcibly, the Spartans took the best supplies of the region. Particularly, the Ionians were quite angry. Instead, Cimon and Aristides had nice manners to everyone, being quite lenient to any offender. Thus, spontaneously the Greeks began following them, disobeying Pausanias. Virtually, Cimon and Aristides became the new admirals of the Greek navy, in that region. Then, accidentally, Pausanias killed his Byzantine mistress, who was the daughter of an important local man. The Greeks enraged up, against him, and Cimon besieged Byzantium thus Pausanias had to flee definitively, back to Sparta. Home, he was definitively forced, to leave his functions. As direct aftermath, with their new political space, the Athenians could found the Delian League, against Persia.

Then, Cimon captured Sestos (which was at the Thracian Chersonese). Right after this, Cimon gathered his numerous Persian prisoners, stripping them of all their valuable possessions (clothing and jewels). Cimon asked to the Athenian allies whether they wanted the naked and ill-trained prisoners or their precious things. Logically, they decided taking the value things and then they swaggered about their booty. However, soon afterward, the prisoners' Anatolian relatives arrived and they ransomed for them, with much money. This sum was so large that Cimon could maintain his sailors for 4 months whilst, withal, he could bestow some money to the treasury of Athens.

At Thrace

In 476 BC, Cimon was appointed Strategos. In that same year, responding to Xerxes I, some local noblemen rebelled Eion city, at Thrace. Subsequently, they attacked their Greek neighbors. Cimon got there, with his fleet. By his first strike, he defeated the Persians and these cloistered, inside Eion. Then, Cimon dispelled the near Thracian tribes, which had been supporting them. Cimon stayed besieging Eion until the enemy couldn't tolerate it. However, before surrendering, the Persian general (Boges) burned the city, killing both himself and his own troops and dumping the local treasury into the Strymon river. Cimon could rescue nothing from the arson but Athens mastered the beautiful and fertile region. Soon afterward, the Athenians colonized the same spot, with 10,000 settlers, founding Amphipolis.

Particularly, this conquest meant much prestige, for Cimon. Basically, it was the first time that the Athenians could conquer some territory so far, against any of its foes. Until then, Athens could afford its defensive wars, only. Celebrating the achievement, three Hermas were erected, throughout Athens, whereas this was a glory, which hadn't been achieved by any other general before.

At Scyros

In 475 BC, Cimon seized Scyros. The island was a nest of Thessalian pirates, from whom a group of merchants could escape. These filed a complain at the Amphictyonic League's court, which fined Scyros. The common people of Scyros refused this. They argued that, only, the pirates should pay for their crimes. Then, desperately, the fearful outlaws resorted to Cimon. They would deliver Scyros if Cimon may show up there, with the Athenian navy. Thus, effectively, Cimon quashed the local population, mastering Scyros.

Coincidently, Cimon learned that the mythological Theseus was buried, at the island, whereas a an Athenian oracle commanded to bring the bones back to Athens, after 400 years. Cimon searched the sepulture with great difficulty as the local people refused helping. Nonetheless, after an eagle pointed the spot (mystically), Cimon found the coffin of a physically great warrior, underground. He loaded these bones onto his ship, bringing them home. The Athenians celebrated the return of their ancient king, with a lot of processions and sacrifices. This meant much more fame, for Cimon.

Becoming Rich

By his latest campaigns, Cimon ended quite enriched.

Indeed, Cimon was anxious, to live as a nobleman. For this, Cimon lived lavishly although he was proud, imitating the Spartan traditions, as well. Also, home, he was quite cordial to his important guests, to gain their favor.

Helping the Needy People

Nonetheless, Cimon helped the necessitous Athenians up. He removed his estate's fences so any needy person could take his agricultural victuals. Besides, daily, Cimon served a plentiful table, for any local citizen of Laciadae. Furthermore, as Cimon was always attended by three valets, who wore expensive garments, they were ordered to exchange these, with any other person who was ill clad. Also, the attendants carried a large change of coins, to dispense these among the poor ones at the Agora.

The Aristocratic Politician

Aristides took Cimon up, confronting the controversial Themistocles, whose dishonest populist politics were becoming quickly exhausted.

Personally, (despite his personal generosity) Cimon defended the Athenian nobility, as member of its aristocratic party, and, indeed, he was reciprocally beloved by it. Oppositely, Pericles sought the support of the popular party, becoming his worst rival. Thus, Cimon opposed when Ephialtes abolished the aristocratic court of the Areopagus, by Pericles' initiative. Also, Cimon supported the constitution of Cleisthenes.

On the other hand, Cimon was among the most honest politicians, refusing corrupting himself, although all Athenian politicians did (except Aristides and Ephialtes), during those years. Since Themistocles' ostracism (472 BC), up to his his own one, Cimon was the most influential politician of Athens. He was so popular that, years later, the Athenian Archon (Apsiphion) ordered spontaneously so Cimon judged a quite popular trial. In it, the young Sophocles won, against some people, who disliked his early plays.

About Sparta

Also, Cimon was supported by Sparta. After the Persians were expelled out of Greece, the Spartans wished that only the few 31 states, which had participated during the war, should integrate the Amphictyonic Council. Of these, the majority were powerless. Themistocles, who was loved by the Spartans until then, feared that the Athenian closest allies (Thessaly, Argos, and Thebes) would end completely excluded whereas Sparta would hold an utter power. Themistocles pressed successfully, against such possibility. Since then, Sparta changed its preferences, supporting Cimon's politics up instead, until his death. Cimon believed in the dual hegemony.

Like any other aristocrat, Cimon was sympathetic to Sparta (which was governed, by a militarized oligarchy). The Athenians consented this while their empire was arising so the Spartans wouldn't be jealous of it. However, after the Empire was consolidated, the people disliked Cimon's foreign attitude up.

Indeed, Cimon admired Sparta since his early life. Either before any controversy or to encourage for something, his favorite saying was: "No! This isn't the Spartan way!"

Boosting the Early Athenian Empire

As the Persian threat decreased, the Aegean allies began skimping their support, being tiresome of the war. Still, they paid the traditional contribution but they refused providing either men or ships. The Athenian generals filed causes, against this, so they were hated. Instead, Cimon negotiated. Diplomatically, he obtained some extra money for each excepted unit whilst he confiscated their ships at will (excepting their crewmen, though).

Subsequently, Cimon trained the entire Athenian navy up. This resulted so effective that Athens ended feared by the other nations, which ended as mere subjected tributary colonies of the Empire. Additionally, this forced Sparta, to resign its regional superiority.

Restraining Persia

With his subsequent expeditions, Cimon harassed Persia, throughout Anatolia, plundering its cities and inducing many other ones to join Greece. Eventually, Cimon mastered the region, which extended from Ionia to Pamphylia.

The Persians gathered about Pamphylia's coasts and Cimon sailed toward there, with 200 battleships. He departed from Cnidos and the Triopian Cape. Over the decks, Cimon added extra room, for even more soldiers. In the route, Cimon ravaged around Phaselis city until its inhabitants joined his navy and they paid 10 talents in retaliation.

In 467 BC, Cimon confronted the 400 Persian ships, at the mouth of the Eurymedon River. Because the enemy expected an 80 ship reinforcement, from the Phoenicians, Cimon hastened into the battle. He charged so effectively that most enemy's ships didn't dare to confront him. Instead, they fled ashore, seeking the protection of a numerous Persian infantry. Cimon destroyed all which couldn't get ashore (killing their crews), capturing 200 ships. Subsequently, Cimon doubted whether to launch an amphibious assault or not, as his men had already fought a hard battle. Nonetheless, perceiving their resolution, Cimon disembarked. The Greeks charged against the Persians, who waited firmly on their site. In the ferocious battle, although many distinguished Athenians were slain, the enemies were slaughtered. Cimon reaped an immense booty, from the Spartan dead bodies and tents.

Then, Cimon rushed against the Phoenician ships, which were at Hydrum. Reaching there before the latest news, Cimon surprised the panicked enemies, destroying their 80 ships and killing their crews.

After this utterly victorious expedition, by many official treaties, Persia restrained the access of its agents (taxmen and horsemen), 80 kilometers from the sea, along the Anatolian coast. By Cimon, Athens was dominating the entire Aegean Sea. Cimon served in the Persian Wars and according to Plutarch: "In all the qualities that war demands he was fully the equal of Themistocles and his own father Miltiades".

The Rich Booty

The Long Walls

This expedition meant much money, for Athens, both from the ransom of the captives and from the valuable spoils. With this, Athens financed many new buildings:

• The stone foundation of the Long Walls, which connected Athens and Piraeus, was placed, over the soft terrain.
• Southward from the Acropolis, a defensive wall was built.
• At the Agora, shady plane trees were planted in rows. Eventually, this walk style extended, throughout the city.
• The Academy, which was a bare and dirty spot, was transformed into a beautiful attraction, with fountains, shady alleys, and many race tracks.

Campaigning at Chersonese

In 466 BC, Cimon was sent to Chersonese, to subdue the region. The local Persians slighted such menace, inviting other regional forces, to confront him. Just with 4 battleships, Cimon defeated them, capturing 13 ships. Thus, Athens seized the peninsula.

At Thasos

Then, Cimon sailed to Thasos, whose people had rebelled against Athens. By a naval confrontation, Cimon subdued the island, capturing 33 ships. Then, he stormed the city and, 3 years later, the Athenians mastered the place definitively, seizing its rich mines of gold.

Being Judged

Returning home, Cimon could have invaded the feeble Macedonia easily. By such omission, at Athens, Cimon was accused, by his political adversaries, of receiving a bribe from the King Alexander I of Macedon. During the trial, Cimon said: "Never, I have been an Athenian consul, to any rich kingdom. Instead, I was proud, attending the Spartans, from whom I have always imitated their frugal culture. This proves that I don't desire personal wealth. Rather, I love enriching our nation, with the booty of our victories." In the process, Elpinice convinced Pericles so his critics weren't so harsh, against her brother. Cimon was acquitted.

Against the Populism

Right after these events, Pericles and Ephialtes led the popular party, starting a democratic revolution, which deposed all the aristocratic institutions of Athens. Specifically, the Areopagus was curtailed. Cimon, who opposed such events utterly, was afar from the city when this happened.

Back home, Cimon began conspiring so the aristocratic constitution of Clisthenes might be restored, reinstalling an oligarchy, to divide the power between both the aristocracy and the middle (Hoplite) class. After noticing this, Pericles' party began a libelous campaign. They remembered the incestuous life, between Cimon and his sister, whilst they charged that Cimon had a preferment for Sparta.

Succoring Sparta

In 464 BC, Sparta (which was planning to invade Attica, indeed) was entirely destroyed, by a powerful earthquake. The Spartan King Archidamus II couldn't cope, with the helots, who began rebelling many cities around Sparta, and then they moved westward, to arise Sparta's old rival Messene. The desperate Archidamus supplicated for help, to Athens. Particularly, they were traditionally deficient, about the besieging operations. Ephialtes opposed up. Nonetheless, Cimon argued: "I beseech. Greece shouldn't end lame because Athens might lose his yoke-fellow." Effectively, Cimon marched to the Peloponnesus, with 4,000 men.

The Ostracism

Ostrakon with Cimon's name

In 462 BC, Sparta solicited help again against the helots, to recapture the fortress of Ithome. When the army of Cimon arrived, its magnificence inspired much terror to the Spartans. They began fearing that, by their quite different culture, the Athenians would join the revolutionaries. Thus, the Spartans rejected them. Their simple explanation was that they didn't need the help, any longer.

The Athenians were so angry that they broke their old alliance of the Persian Wars, allying aggressively with Argos. Internally, the people began attacking those, who were friends of the Spartans. Thus, in 461 BC, by a politically motivated initiative of Pericles, Cimon was ostracized, nominally for ten years.

Cimon Returns

However, (defiantly) the Spartans occupied Tanagra, battling any Athenian regiment which faced them. Slighting his sentence, Cimon appeared there, wearing his armour, to fight among the files of his tribe. In the Senate of the Five Hundred, his political enemies claimed that, with his presence, he expected messing the actions deliberately, ensuring the victory of the Spartans.

Thus, the generals didn't let that Cimon could fight. Nonetheless, Cimon spoke to his friends (who were similarly suspected): "You should fight bravely so, about our honor, all suspicion will be effaced, from the thoughts of the Athenians." Some of the 100 men regiment took his armor, to use it during the battle. They fought so bravely that all were slain during the confrontation.

The Athenians were quite grieved at these events. Then, they were definitively defeated and a massive Peloponnesian invasion was expected, during the next Spring. The political class became so moderate that they recalled Cimon, by a decree, which was signed by Pericles, in 456 BC.

Then, traveling personally to Sparta, Cimon ended the war, with a 5 year truce.

The Last Campaign

Soon, Cimon perceived that Athens was too anxious, to war again, to strengthen the Empire. Redirecting the intention afar, he organized a 200 trireme expedition against Persia, toward Cyprus and Egypt (which had revolted, against Persia). In 451 BC, the Athenian Assembly authorized this. Additionally, Cimon knew about the outlaw Themistocles, who was aiding the enemy, from Anatolia. This motivated him, even more.

However, right before embarking, Cimon had a nightmare. An aggressive female dog was barking, to him, when it began speaking: "You should embark, to become the pleasure, for both me and my whelps." In accord with the wicked interpretation, the dog was the death. As it barked, it was talking to an enemy, whose last would be its pleasure. The mixture of sounds meant Persia (the barks), which was joined by some Greek colonies (the human voice). Cimon was quite moved by the terrifying interpretation.

Nonetheless, it was too late so the expedition departed immediately. Cimon directed 60 ships to Egypt, keeping the rest with him. The Persians waited for him, with Phoenician and Cilician units. Cimon defeated them, in a naval battle, and then he seized many urban centers of Cilicia.

His Death

• See Main Article: Battle of Salamis

During the Battle of Salamis (which took place at Salamis, Cyprus), Cimon was besieging Citium city whilst he was planning the next steps, over Egypt. However, he died, in 449 BC. Most ancient historians established that this was due to a disease. Other minor writers said that Cimon died by a fatal wound.

In any case, before passing away, Cimon ordered to conceal his death until the whole 200 trireme fleet was afar from the region, sailing home, safely. Thus, his death was undisclosed one month later.

Cimon was buried in Athens where a monument was erected. Nearby, his racehorses (which had won the Olympics, once) were also interred. Right before the decease, Cimon had sent a commission, to the temple of Zeus (at Ammon). An oracle had rejected the emissaries, saying: "Depart because Cimon is already with our God." Effectively, this coincided roughly with Cimon's death. The people of Citium interpreted other oracle. It ordered that Cimon should be henceforth honored, as a superior being.

Ships named after Cimon

The Hellenic Navy has repeatedly honored Cimon by naming ships after him

• Κίμων D-218 (1991-2004)
• USS Ringgold (DD-500)

External Links

• Cimon of Athens, in About.com.

See also

• Pericles
• Aristides
• Themistocles
• Miltiades
• Battle of Salamis
• Pausanias
• Amphictyonic League
• Theseus
• Long Walls
• Ostracism
• Battle of Salamis in Cyprus (450 BC)