Cleon of Athens
Cleon of Athens was a prominent political figure in the 5th century BCE, recognized as one of the first demagogues in Athenian democracy. Originally a tanner, he rose to political prominence around 430 BCE, possibly serving on the boulē, or council. Cleon is notably remembered for his controversial proposal during the Mytilene debate in 427 BCE, advocating for the execution of all male citizens of Mytilene following their revolt, although this decision was later reversed. His military leadership was highlighted in 425 BCE when he successfully captured Spartan soldiers on Sphacteria, enhancing his influence in Athens. Cleon became stratīgos (general) in 424 BCE and was instrumental in increasing tribute from Athenian allies and funding for jurors, which arguably shaped the political landscape of his time. He was also involved in the exile of Thucydides, a general who failed to protect Amphipolis from Spartan forces. Cleon’s tenure ended in 422 BCE when he was defeated and killed in battle at Amphipolis. His legacy remains complex, as contemporary sources portray him in various lights, yet his role established a precedent for future political leaders in Athens who were not of noble birth.
Cleon of Athens
Related civilization:Classical Greece
Major role/position: Political leader
Life
Cleon of Athens, the first demagogue, was a tanner who made enough money to enter political life by 430 b.c.e. He was perhaps a member of the boulē, or council, in 428 b.c.e., and in 427 b.c.e. in the Mytilene debate, he proposed the execution of all male Mytileneans after that town’s revolt in 428 b.c.e. He was successful, but the next day, the assembly reversed its decision. In 425 b.c.e., Cleon’s criticism of Nicias of Athens’s ability to capture besieged Spartans on Sphacteria led to his extraordinary command, and with Demosthenes’ help, he captured the Spartans. When Sparta sued for peace, Cleon blocked the proposals.
Cleon’s influence was now paramount in Athens. He was elected stratīgos (general) for 424 b.c.e., increased the tribute paid by the Athenian allies and pay for the jurors, and was perhaps responsible for Thucydides’ exile for failing to save Amphipolis from Sparta. In 422 b.c.e., as stratīgos, he marched to Amphipolis, where he was defeated and killed in battle by a Spartan force. The presentation of Cleon in contemporary sources by Thucydides and Aristophanes is biased, but there is no question that he was an able orator who wanted to increase Athens’ power.
Influence
Cleon was the first demagogue in the Athenian democracy and set a trend for the non-noble “new politicians” who followed him, thereby changing the dynamics of Athenian political life.
Bibliography
Kagan, Donald. The Archidamian War. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1974.
Woodhead, A. G. “Thucydides’ Portrait of Cleon.” Mnemosyne 13 (1960): 289-317.