# Themistocles — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide

> Themistocles in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides.

**Role:** supporting

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

## Snapshot

The Athenian who staked his city's future on wooden walls, then found himself a fugitive petitioning the very Persian king he had once shattered at Salamis.

## Who they are

Long before this war, Themistocles persuaded Athens to build the fleet that made it an empire, and Thucydides treats his foresight as the hinge on which Athenian power turned. His restless brilliance won victories abroad but made him dangerous at home, and ostracism eventually drove him into the Great King's court, where he died a Persian subject. He matters because the war's opening chapters keep invoking the navy and empire he created, and his fate shadows every Athenian leader who follows.

## Relationships

### [Archidamus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/archidamus)

_rivalry_

Archidamus, as Spartan king, opposed Themistocles, the Athenian architect of naval power, during the early stages of the Peloponnesian conflict.

### [Archidamus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/archidamus)

_rivalry_

Archidamus, as Spartan king, opposed Themistocles, the Athenian architect of naval power, during the early stages of the Peloponnesian conflict.

## In the story

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

Mentioned in the Archaeology as the Athenian leader who persuaded the Athenians to build walls after the Persian Wars.

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

Persuaded Athens to fortify the city and Piraeus, laying the foundations for naval empire.

### [Second Congress at Lacedaemon: Preparations for War and Diplomatic Skirmishes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/v)

Referenced in the context of the curse and his later exile and dealings with Persia.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/themistocles
- 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