Teaser: Themistocles Pt 2 (Patreon)

This is a teaser of the bonus episode, "Themistocles Pt 2" found over on Patreon.

A single line from Delphi forces Athens to gamble everything: “the wooden wall.” Is it an old barricade on the Acropolis, or is it the fleet Themistocles fought to build? We pick up our Themistocles series at the moment his naval policy becomes more than politics, it becomes survival, as the second Persian invasion looms and Athens races to turn shipbuilding into a workable war plan. 

We follow the chain of decisions that pull the Greek world into a fragile coalition. The Congresses of Corinth create the Hellenic League, but unity comes with ego, mistrust, and a command structure that leaves Athens supplying ships while Sparta calls the shots. A rushed northern move into Thessaly collapses, pushing the allies back toward the paired defense at Thermopylae and the naval stand at Artemisium. When the Greek fleet wavers, Themistocles keeps it in place through a mix of argument and silver, and we break down what three days of fighting reveal about tactics, morale, and the brutal arithmetic of attrition. 

Then the story turns darker and sharper: retreat, scorched resources, psychological warfare against Persian-aligned Ionians and Carians, and finally the desperate regroup at Salamis as Athens burns. Themistocles must stop the fleet from running south and convince allies that Salamis is where Greece can still win. If you care about ancient history, Greek naval warfare, the Persian Wars, and how leadership works when everything is breaking, this chapter is for you. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review with the moment you think Themistocles changes the course of the war.

Transcript

Patreon Bonus Introduction

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello everyone and welcome back to our latest bonus episode here on Patreon, where we will continue our look at Themistocles. Last month we began with the early life of Themistocles, up to the point where Athens had chosen his naval policy by ostracising his rival Aristides. We saw that Themistocles came from a modest background, with his father not part of the Athenian aristocratic class, and we aren't even certain who his mother was. We were told though, of his childhood that he had the same characteristics that he would display throughout his adult life, and this is where we get most of our information about him from. However, we have to take what we are told about his childhood with a grain of salt, as Plutarch would even tell us it was hard to know what was true or not of his early life. We would then see that Themistocles would come of age in an Athens that would afford opportunity to men outside the nobility. Athens had basically become a proper democracy around this time, allowing him to use his connections to the lower class to gain support in politics. Themistocles would come to push his policy outlook for Athens in the way of the navy and Athens' connection to the sea. As we have seen in the main series, this policy would see Athens become a powerful maritime power, militarily and economically. The push in this direction would also cement democracy as an ingrained form of government, as this policy would see the lower classes become much more important to the city, as they now would be a source of the rowers manning the Athenian fleet. However, before Athens moved in this direction, Themistocles had to convince the city of his vision. This would end up coming down to a showdown with his political rival, Aristides, who had the backing of the aristocrats and hoplite class. The ostracism of 482 would effectively see a referendum take place, deciding if Athens would attempt to conserve its land-based view within Greece, essentially driving power back to the wealthy, or move Athens in a new direction, opening the city to exert its military and economic power across the Aegean and beyond, while also securing the power of the people. Athens would end up deciding to exile Aristides and move in this new direction. However, this shift would mean little if the looming threat of the Persian Empire was left unchecked. Themistocles would also have an instrumental role in what would turn out to be the second Persian invasion. The ostracism of 482 would see Aristides exiled from Attica for ten years. He was able to retain his property within Athens and would be able to return. The exile was designed to remove the figure from Athens' political influence, as it had been deemed that they had become a threat to Athens' democracy. The thinking was that after ten years they would no longer be politically relevant, and the city's politics would have moved on. Now Themistocles was left to push his policies forward, with the backing of the people. This would now see Athens on its new course in exerting influence, not just over land. Athens would at once begin its massive shipbuilding program with the aim of producing 200 triremes. As we had seen last episode, the threat of the new Persian invasion was on the horizon, but Themistocles had used the current war with Aegina as evidence for needing a larger fleet. However, there was no large scale battle against the island when the fleet was ready. It seems likely that Athens used this new powerful force diplomatically at first, pressuring with the threat of the fleet before using it. It's also possible that small skirmishes would have taken place, this also providing valuable experience and testing crews for the much larger showdown that was to eventuate. The next point that we see Themistocles enter back into the historical record is when Athens had sent messengers off to Delphi to gain advice on how they should prepare for the coming Persian invasion. By this stage it had become clear that Persia was preparing another invasion. Word would have been reaching the Greeks of the construction works going on in Thrace, not to mention the visits many Greek cities were receiving from Persian envoys to submit to the Empire before they arrived. The final message that was brought back to Athens was then debated in the assembly, for its true meaning. As we have seen, the interpretation of the oracle's meaning was tricky to navigate, since it was vague enough to fit almost anything that would eventuate. However, debate would end up resting on two main ideas. The prophecy wasn't very encouraging for Athens, but it did give some hope. The line that would see much of the debate revolve around was Yet Zeus, the all seeing, grants to Athena's prayer, that the wooden wall only shall not fall, but help you and your children. One interpretation rested on the idea that the wooden wall was referring to the thorn hedge that in the old days surrounded the Acropolis. So a section of the population believed the oracle was telling them to remain and defend the city. The second view was that the oracle was referring to the new Athenian fleet that had been built. This would see those supporting this view advocate leaving Athens and using the fleet to defeat the Persians. It would seem most likely this was the view Themistocles followed, though we would see him come forward when those opposing this idea tried to discredit it, by pointing to the last line of the oracle, where it said, Divine Salamis, you will bring death to women's sons. They argued that if they fell back onto the fleet, it was clear the oracle was telling them of their death. But Themistocles would address this argument by saying they had this line mixed up. Surely if it was referring to the Athenians' death, it wouldn't have used the positive tone when speaking of Salamis. It therefore must be referring to the Persians, meeting their fates there. The majority found Themistocles' interpretation to make the most sense, and now looked to prepare for the Persian invasion on this course of action. However, there were still those in Athens, namely the professional interpreters and those supported them, who were still on the view that Athens should not be abandoned. Even going as far as to suggest no opposition should be given to the Persian advance. However, although it is reported that this was the view that the Athenians had taken to defend themselves against the Persians, another attempted defensive operation would first take place. With the threat of the Persian invasion, a number of Greek city-states would attempt to unite to protect Greece. This would result in the Congress or Congresses of Corinth. Here disputes between Greek cities were put on hold. More Greek cities would be called upon to join, spies were arranged to be sent to gather intelligence, and a clear command structure was decided upon. Originally, when commands were given, Themistocles would object to Athens not receiving any based on the disproportionate contribution they were providing. They alone would make up at least half the total fleet. However, the other maritime powers got together and challenged them on this claim. Some of the others, such as Aegina and Corinth, hadn't had the best relationships with Athens before. Also, these powers had seen themselves as having a longer maritime tradition than Athens. Why should they get command over them? Being the new kid on the block with their new large fleet. In the end, all would agree that Sparta, along with command over the land forces, would also command the navy, even though they only provided a few ships, though at this stage they were still seen as a preeminent power in Greece, and many of the cities of this new League shared a common Dorian ancestry with them. From one of these congresses, the League, which we have dubbed the Hellenic League, would march north to Thessaly and attempt to block the Persian path. The Thessalians had come requesting the League's help, as they did not want to submit to the Persians, but would be the first region of Greece to be entered. This plan did deviate from what Themistocles and the Athenians wanted, which was to focus on Attica, but the current situation potentially saw Thessaly coming into the League, who were known for their cavalry, while it also gave possibility to fighting in the far north, protecting much of Greece from invasion. Themistocles may not have been overjoyed with the plan, but it might have been seen as a being worth a try. And we need to remember he was now operating in a league of Greek polis. Compromise would need to come if they were to stay united. The force that was sent out was 10,000 strong, with a dual Spartan and Athenian leadership, Themistocles being one. However, once arriving, it became clear the region was not going to be easily defended. There were multiple passes that could see the Greeks outflank and cut off. They also had Macedonian messengers warning of dangers they faced. After assessing the situation, the Greeks decided their position was not defensible, and all they would achieve would be the loss of 10,000 men that would be needed for when they could truly challenge the Persians. It isn't hard to imagine that Themistocles would have been leading this debate on leaving the northern areas. The result of this departure from Thessaly would see the Thessalians having no choice but to submit to the advancing Persians. However, the Greeks met once again and now enacted what appears to have been their original plan before the Thessalian request. A group of around 7,000 Greeks were led to the pass of Thermopylae by the Spartan king Leonidas, while further up the coast, the united Greek fleet would guard the straits between the Greek mainland and Eubia at Arnamisium. When the Greek fleet finally saw the size of the Persians, we hear that many were disheartened and wanted to withdraw. The majority had also been able to persuade the Greek fleet's commander, the Spartan Euryades, not to remain and fight. This is where Themistocles would then insert his influence into the situation. Although not the overall commander, he did command the Athenian contingent. For him, the fleet blocking the straits was in line with the wooden wall Athens had been told of by the oracle and the interpretation he had fought to have recognised. Also, it would have been to his liking for the Persians to be met this far forward, as Athens still lay behind them. Others who also lay north of the Corinthian Isthmus were in favour of a Ford defence, but hearing the possibility of the Greek fleet departing, the Eubeans, who were most directly affected at this time, looked to try and change the mind of Eurybiades. They attempted to reason with him, but were unable to change his mind. They next went to Themistocles, who would now use his whatever means necessary approach to get the job done. It is hard to see how Themistocles would have been able to also change Eurybiades' mind, just through words. However, the Eubeans would offer a bribe of thirty talents to Themistocles, to get him to influence the decision of the fleet. One wonders if Themistocles may have pushed for the money, as he saw that money would talk louder than reason. He would in turn take his proposal of remaining to fight at Artemisium, along with five talents to Eurybiades. Themistocles made no mention of the funds coming from the Eubeans, and made it out as if they were his own. Eurybiades would now be on board with Themistocles' plan to stay, but the commander of the Corinthians still objected. So once again Themistocles dipped into his newly acquired funds and sent three talents to the Corinthians, whose objections faded away. So with a bit of encouragement from Silver, the combined Greek fleet would now stay and give battle at Artemisium. The Abeans were satisfied with the result after their expenses. While Themistocles also benefited from this change of mind, he now had the Greek fleet providing a defence north of Attica, and also walked away with a twenty two talent prophet. There would end up being three days of naval combat at Artemisium. The first two days would see Greek tactical victories, while the third would be much more of a stalemate. However, after the third day it was clear that the Greeks could ill afford to take the losses that they were, even though they seemed to be getting the better of the Persians. If the Persians continued the fighting as it was developing, they did not need to gain tactical victories. They were winning the attritional battle with the vast numbers they had available. The Greeks, if they remained, would soon find themselves without a fleet to put up any more of a defence. This state of affairs now put the defence of Greece at great risk, and not even Themistocles tried to persuade Eurybiades to stay. He knew that if the fleet was going to defeat the Persians, it needed to fall back, regroup, and take on reinforcements. He was smart enough to know when to retreat so as to fight another day. We hear that in the planned withdrawal he also took steps to hamper the Persians, by telling the Eubians to kill their flocks and benefit from them before the Persians landed. Here he was trying to deprive the Grand Persian fleet of all the resources possible. He would also have plans to try and drive a wedge between the Persians and their Ionian and Carian contingents. These men had Greek ancestry, and the Persians knew this. Themistocles now looked to try and have the Persians distrust these elements of their fleet. When the fleet departed, Themistocles would stop off at locations along the coast that would have access to fresh drinking water. Here he would inscribe on rocks a message that he hoped the Ionians and Carrions would find, though one way or another, what was left would have made its way to the Persian command. He had written Men of Ionia, you do not do what is right and just by going to war against your fathers and reducing Hellas to slavery. The best thing for you to do would to come over to our side. But if this is not possible for you, then you should, even now at this point, assume a posture of neutrality, and ask the Carrions to do the same. If neither of these options is possible, and you are constrained by a yoke so tight that you cannot revolt from it, then when the forces are engaged, and you are in the midst of action, you should deliberately fight like cowards, remembering that you have been born of us, and from the very beginning, you have been the source of a hostility between us and the barbarian. Well, this is probably what he would have said to them if he had the chance, but probably unlikely what he wrote on the rocks. I think what Herodotus conveys here is what he wants to put across to these Greek listeners. Themistocles would have surely inscribed something of a few words summing up this idea. So the Greeks would depart the straits between Eubia and the Greek mainland, heading south. Around the same time the Greeks had decided on departing, they'd also receive word of the fall of the pass of Thermopylae, which just added to the reasoning of withdrawing. From here, Themistocles would fade into the background of the narrative as the Greeks withdrew and Persians began advancing deeper into Greece. The Athenians now, aware of the approach of the Persians, crossed over to the island of Salamis, where the withdrawing fleet assisted them, also having convinced the other Greek contingents of the fleet to stop in at the island. The Peloponnesians had wanted to continue to the Peloponnese, to mount a defence there. However, it appears Themistocles had a part to play in convincing them to stop at Salamis and assist the evacuation. Themistocles did not want to see the fleet head back south of the Isthmus. It would mean the permanent capture of Athens. Athens would fall to the Persians, but how Themistocles would later put it, what made Athens Athens, now gathered on the island of Salamis, just off the coast. They were not a defeated city yet. They also had a formidable fleet that could challenge the Persian navy. Now what Themistocles had to do was convince Eurybiades and the other Peloponnesians that Salamis was the place where the Greeks had to make their stand. Councils of war had been taking place on Salamis, where most were in favour of sailing to the Peloponnese, to then mount their defence there. When news of the burning of Athens reached them, some ships departed at once. However, the majority stayed together. Themistocles was present at the councils, but initially we don't hear of him challenging the Peloponnesians on their desire to leave. Perhaps he was stunned at the taking of Athens, as this moment would have been the lowest for him in the war so far. However, it wouldn't take long for him to return to the Themistocles, who looked to achieve his aims, which were also the aims of Athens, no matter what. He would return to his ship the night after the council that had decided to depart Salamis. On board another Athenian had asked him what had been discussed, and Themistocles revealed that the council had resolved to depart to the Peloponnese. The Athenian then put it all on the table, telling Themistocles this would mean the end of the united Greek front. If they fell back, all the cities would look after their own self-interests, and would all be defeated in turn. Athens may be taken for now, but if the fleet separated, then all of Greece would be taken and the city of Athens would be lost for good. The talk back on the ship seems to have injected the characteristics Themistocles was known for back into him, and he would at once go seeking Eurybiades for an audience. Themistocles was able to find Eurybiades on board his ship and was invited aboard. He would put to him the same points that had been made to him earlier. It would have been interesting to know how he framed the argument to Eurybiades. Thucydides just tells us he recited every word that his fellow Athenian had told him. Though I feel the points you would be making regarding the situation would be somewhat different when an Athenian is talking to another Athenian, as opposed to an Athenian trying to change the mind of a Peloponnesian, and one that held command over many other Peloponnesians. I can't help but think there may have been some watered-down version of the threat he would come to make later when addressing the Council of War, pointing out that if they departed, then Athens would be forced to leave, which would see the Greek fleet in no position to put up any defence. However, it is not entirely clear if Themistocles was able to completely change Euribiades' mind to stay and fight, but he was prepared to recall the Council of War for Themistocles to address. This probably shows that he recognised Themistocles had valid points, but he wanted to see the mood of the other Peloponnesian commander's response. So, this is where we will leave this episode, with Themistocles still with the rest of the Greek fleet on Salamis. He had prevented the fleet from departing for now, with Eurybiades now prepared to hear his arguments in a council of war with the other contingent commanders. Next bonus episode, we will jump into Themistocles' speech addressing the Council of War and what would unfold after that. Hopefully, we'll see if we can finish up our look at Themistocles in part three. Thanks again for your continuous support, and I'll see you again next month with Themistocles Part 3.