# Cleon — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Cleon in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i

## Snapshot

Athenian demagogue and general whose bluster and aggression made him the loudest voice for war in the assembly.

## Who they are

Cleon rises from the tanneries to dominate Athenian politics after Pericles' death, trading aristocratic restraint for a politics of fury and flattery aimed at the crowd. He attacks Nicias, pushes for harsh treatment of rebellious allies, and embodies the demagogue Thucydides distrusts—a man whose confidence outruns his competence. His career shows how war and democracy together can elevate the wrong men at the worst moments.

## Relationships

### [Brasidas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/brasidas)

_rivalry_

Brasidas and Cleon were direct military opponents, most famously clashing at the Battle of Amphipolis where both were killed.

### [Nicias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/nicias)

_rivalry_

Cleon and Nicias were fierce political rivals in Athens, with Cleon attacking Nicias's cautious policies and advocating for aggressive war strategies.

## In the story

### [History of the Peloponnesian War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war)

Athenian demagogue and general, known for his aggressive stance and role in the Mytilenean debate.

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-i)

Mentioned briefly as a demagogue in Athens, though his major role comes later.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-ii)

Emerges as a prominent demagogue in Athens after Pericles' death.

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-iii)

Argues for the execution of all Mitylenian men; represents Athenian imperial harshness.

### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-iv)

Athenian demagogue who takes command at Pylos and secures the surrender of the Spartan forces on Sphacteria.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xii)

The popular leader who persuades the Athenians to reject Spartan peace terms and demand unconditional surrender of the men on the island.

### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-v)

Mentioned in the context of the peace negotiations and his death at Amphipolis.

### [The Peace of Nicias and the End of the First War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xv)

One of the principal opponents of peace, Cleon's death at Amphipolis removes a major obstacle to negotiations.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/cleon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters