Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This biographical work depicts the turbulent life of Themistocles, the great Athenian politician and general. The narrative begins with his youth, where he reformed his profligate ways to rise rapidly through his unparalleled political and strategic talents. Facing the Persian threat, he successfully strengthened the Athenian navy and orchestrated the historic Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis through brilliant stratagems. Following the war, he spearheaded the rebuilding of Athens' city walls, outwitting Spartan opposition through skillful diplomacy. However, his fortunes turned when he was ostracized and forced to flee to his former enemy, Persia. The work traces his dramatic journey to the Persian court, where his extraordinary intellect earned him the king's favor, concluding with his death in exile and the secret return of his remains to Attica.