The great betrayal: Why the famous Athenian leader Themistocles defected to Persia

Born around 524 BC in the Athenian deme of Phrearrhioi, Themistocles was not of noble lineage, yet he quickly rose through the ranks by leveraging his sharp intellect and persuasive oratory skills.

His early career was driven by a keen understanding of naval power's importance, a vision that would later prove crucial for Athens.

In 493 BC, as the archon eponymous, he initiated the fortification of Piraeus, transforming it into a formidable naval base that would secure Athens' maritime dominance.

Themistocles' foresight was further demonstrated in the lead-up to the Persian Wars.

The Persians, under King Darius I, launched their first invasion of Greece in 490 BC.

Although Themistocles did not command the Athenian forces at the Battle of Marathon, where the Persians were defeated, his naval policies were laying the groundwork for future victories.

Amidst the looming threat of another Persian invasion, he advocated for the expansion of the Athenian navy, persuading his fellow citizens to invest in a fleet of 200 triremes.

The real test of Themistocles' strategic genius came with the second Persian invasion, led by Darius' successor, Xerxes I, in 480 BC.

As the Persian army and navy advanced towards Greece, Themistocles' naval strategy came to fruition.

He played a crucial role in the Greek alliance, advocating for a united front against the common enemy.

His most famous moment came at the Battle of Salamis, where, through a combination of cunning tactics and psychological warfare, he lured the Persian fleet into the narrow straits, leading to a decisive Greek victory. 

Following his triumph at Salamis in 480 BC, Themistocles enjoyed immense popularity and influence, but his very success sowed the seeds of his eventual downfall.

The intricate dynamics of Athenian democracy meant that no leader, no matter how heroic, was immune to the shifting tides of public opinion and political rivalry.

Themistocles' most notable adversary was Aristides the Just, who represented a starkly different political and ideological stance.

While Themistocles advocated for naval expansion and aggressive foreign policies, Aristides championed a more conservative approach, focusing on land forces and internal stability.

This fundamental conflict led to a fierce competition for influence, culminating in Themistocles' ostracism around 471 BC.

Ostracism was a unique feature of Athenian democracy, which allowed the citizens to vote annually on whether to exile a prominent figure deemed a threat to the state's stability.

In Themistocles' case, it was a combination of his aggressive policies, perceived arrogance, and growing suspicion of his ambitions that led to his ostracism.

Exiled from the city he had saved, Themistocles wandered through the Greek world, seeking refuge and a new role in the ever-changing political landscape.

Initially settling in Argos, he soon found himself quickly caught up in local political intrigues and suspicions about his own loyalties.

Accusations of complicity with the Persians, whether true or fabricated by his enemies, forced him to flee once more.

His journey took him to Corcyra (modern Corfu), whose inhabitants, wary of Athens' wrath, hesitated to offer long-term sanctuary.

Seeking safety, Themistocles ventured to the kingdom of Molossia in Epirus, where he encountered another hostile reception.

With few options left, he made the fateful decision to seek refuge in the heart of his former enemy's territory: Persia.

Disguising his identity, he embarked on a perilous journey across land and sea, evading capture.

Upon reaching the Persian-controlled city of Ephesus in 465 BC, Themistocles' situation grew even more precarious.

He sent a letter to King Artaxerxes I, son of Xerxes I, pledging his loyalty and service in exchange for asylum.

In his message, Themistocles astutely appealed to the king's magnanimity and promised to be a valuable asset to the Persian Empire, drawing on his intimate knowledge of Greek affairs and military strategies.

Artaxerxes, intrigued by the prospect of having a former Athenian general and statesman at his court, extended a warm welcome to Themistocles.

The king provided him with safe conduct to the Persian capital, where Themistocles was received with honors befitting his status and reputation. 

Once the defender of Athens against Persian aggression, in 465 BC, Artaxerxes granted Themistocles a generous pension and estates in Magnesia, Lampsacus, and Myus.

These provided him with income from their production of bread, wine, and meat, respectively, ensuring a comfortable life in exile.

Themistocles, for his part, adapted to his new surroundings, learning the Persian language and customs, and integrating himself into the royal court.

In return, Themistocles provided Artaxerxes with insights into Greek politics and military tactics.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that he actively participated in any campaigns against his former homeland.

Instead, he seems to have focused on maintaining his status and position within the Persian Empire, assimilating into the intricacies of Persian court life while keeping a cautious eye on developments in Greece.

Themistocles' death in 459 BC brought an end to an extraordinary journey from Athenian hero to Persian noble.

The circumstances of his death are unclear, with some accounts suggesting natural causes, while others hint at possible poisoning, either self-administered or by his enemies. 

As the architect of Athens' naval supremacy and a key figure in the repulsion of the Persian invasions, his contributions to the defense and glory of Athens are undeniable.

The victory at Salamis, in particular, stands as a clear sign of his strategic brilliance and remains a defining moment in the history of Western civilization.

However, Themistocles' later years and defection to Persia cast a shadow over his earlier triumphs, complicating his historical legacy.

The very qualities that had served him well in his ascent—ambition, cunning, and adaptability—were viewed through a different lens following his exile.

His decision to align himself with Athens' erstwhile enemy has been variously interpreted as an act of pragmatism, desperation, or even betrayal.

Historians have debated Themistocles' motives and actions, with some viewing him as a pragmatic realist who adapted to changing circumstances, while others see him as a tragic figure undone by his own hubris.

His legacy is further complicated by the fact that much of our knowledge about him comes from sources that were written decades or even centuries after his death, each colored by the biases and contexts of their own times.