Themistocles: The Battle Of Salamis

Throughout history, many great figures possessing extraordinary qualities have reshaped the past and have manipulated historical events. Such an example is Themistocles. Themistocles, thriving from 524-459 BCE, was an Athenian politician who was renowned by many as a great leader who obtained intellect, courage and integrity. Also known as being the saviour of Greece, the profound individual believed that the entirety of the human political experience could be reduced to symmetry and order. In order to unleash his true potential, though, he was forced to relocate from the remoteness of eastern Africa into the city, marrying the daughter of Lysander of Alopeke. Thus, it can be stated that Themistocles was a profound politician who possessed

The image seen below is a Troezen Decree; an inscription proposed by Themistocles in preparation for the battle of Salamis. Within this primary artefact, he states that the Athenians should evacuate their homes and battle against the Persian invaders. Just as the previous sources and their implicit meanings, Themistocles was obviously a man who maintained influence over the Athenian people; he logically took the risk of forcing the entire community to leave Athens for the greater good of society. Though, it is the fact that the Athenians listened to Themistocles’ risk induced proposal that truly exemplifies his unconditional leadership. Reinforcing these ideals are that of Herodotus’ accounts of Themistocles during the Battle of Salamis. Acclaimed as a great historian of Greek history, Herodotus details that the Greeks were about to leave Salamis; however, by utilizing blackmail to enforce that the Athenians would be forced to sail to Italy, Themistocles convinced the entire population to remain at Salamis. Herodotus then explains that Themistocles sent a messenger to inform Xerxes that he should attack the bay of Salamis immediately; and, Xerxes fell for this devious plan, where the Persian fleet entered at nightfall. Because of the bay being too narrow, though, the Persians were under attack and were forced to retreat. Herodotus’ retellings of these events imply that Themistocles organized events so perfectly for a planned defeat. The manipulation of the Greeks to stay at Salamis through the means of blackmail reveals how intellectually intact Themistocles was and that he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Having the knowledge that Salamis and its narrow bay would be such a simple yet effective method of defeat, this solidifies that Themistocles