Cimon of Athens
...s benefited Athens greatly, did it not. Scyros is situated on the main route to the Black Sea and Athens’ vital corn supply. We next captured Carystus, who did not want to join the Delian League. Fortunately we forced them to join, thus eliminating a vulnerable spot for us. Was I not the one who was contacted by the God Apollo himself? I found the bones of our dead, legendary king, Theseus on the island of Scyros and returned them for proper burial in Athens. And was I not instrumental in fortifying the newly built Acropolis with walls? In the years 478 to 477, you will remember that whilst the Persians had left the mainland they were still a threat to our islands in the Aegean. You will also remember that the Spartans held leadership but Pausanias mismanaged his alliance. Furthermore, I brought many of the island states into alliance with Athens. And I am happy to say I did it in all fairness and withheld my dignity. This I am happy to reminisce was the beginning of the end for the Persian stronghold in the Aegean. I commanded the series of naval attacks that eventually eliminated them from the Aegean. And wasn’t the very first of those battles in Thrace, a glorious conquest? That resulted in of course, the liberation of Eion. And how we celebrated that victory. It was a sure sign of greater things to come. The freedom of Eion had its own benefits to Athens. Did that not open the way for us to control territory in the North of Greece including the city of Amphipolis? It has provided us with gold, silver and timber from Mt. Pangaeus. Thus benefiting our economy and trade. But alas, my greatest victory and the one I hope I am remembered for is when I commanded our magnificent fleet against the Persians at the mouth of the river Eurymedon. Am I not the only general who has won a battle on both land and at sea in the same day? When we landed we won a victory on the land, and again against a fleet of Phoenician ships that were acting on behalf of Persia. These victories resulted in the treaty that we had with the Greeks and the King of Persia. It temporarily ended the Persian threat. And when our allies grew tired of providing ships for the common defense, I believe I am the one who put forward the idea that they pay money instead of providing ships, which we used to expand our fleet, which would in turn provide protection to Athens itself and its allies. W...