25th Annual Student Research Conference
The Great Leveler: Themistocles as Athenian Political Archetype
Casey L. Lynn
Prof. Martha L. Rose and Dr. Kathryn Brammall, Faculty Mentors
Most famous for his victory over the Persians at Salamis in 480 BC, the Athenian general and politician Themistocles was more than just a successful military commander. Rising from humble beginnings to the highest office in Athens, then falling from grace to die an exile serving his former enemy the Persian Great King, Themistocles' career charted a course that would be followed by many of his political descendants. In choosing to build his political identity as the champion of the Athenian lower classes, Themistocles initiated the reforms that resulted in the system of society and government we now know as Athenian Democracy. While far from an idealist, it was Themistocles who made Athens a truly Democratic state.
Keywords: Themistocles, Athens, democracy
Topic(s):History Senior Seminar
Classics
Greek
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 409-4
Location: VH 1236
Time: 3:15