Cleon facts for kids

Cleon (died 422 BC) was an important Athenian general during the Peloponnesian War. He was one of the first leaders from the business class to become powerful in Athenian politics. Even though he came from a noble family, he strongly pushed for Athens to fight aggressively. He was known for being very determined in carrying out his plans.

Many writers, like Thucydides and the playwright Aristophanes, often showed Cleon in a bad light. They described him as a dishonest leader who loved war and tried to stir up the people. Cleon was the son of Cleaenetus.

Cleon's Public Service

Challenging Pericles

Cleon first became well-known in the late 430s BC. He spoke out against Pericles, who was a very famous Athenian leader. Cleon disagreed with Pericles' plan to avoid big battles against the Peloponnesian League in 431 BC.

In 430 BC, a terrible plague hit Athens. Cleon led the people who were unhappy with Pericles' leadership. Cleon even accused Pericles of mismanaging public money. Pericles was found guilty and removed from office for a short time, but he was soon back in power.

Becoming a Popular Leader

After Pericles died from the plague in 429 BC, new leaders were needed in Athens. Cleon, who had been a strong critic, stepped forward. He quickly became a champion for the common people and gained a lot of power in Athenian politics.

Cleon was not very refined, but he was very charismatic. He had a powerful voice and knew how to excite the crowds in Athens. He made poorer citizens happy by increasing their pay for jury duty. This helped many people earn a living.

Cleon also gained power because Athenians loved to go to court. He used a practice called "sycophancy", which meant making false accusations. This helped him get rid of people who might challenge his power. In 424–423 BC, he was elected as one of the ten strategos (generals).

War Against Sparta and His Death

Cleon strongly disliked noble families and hated Sparta. Because of him, Athens missed a chance to make peace in 425 BC. He believed Athens needed to control key territories for safety, not rely on Sparta's good intentions.

In 427 BC, Cleon pushed for Athens to kill all the adult men in Mytilene. Mytilene had rebelled against Athens. His idea was first accepted, but then changed after a strong argument by Diodotus. Still, about one thousand leaders from Mytilene were executed.

In 425 BC, Cleon became very famous. He captured Spartan soldiers who were trapped at the Battle of Sphacteria and brought them to Athens. Much of the military success was due to his fellow general Demosthenes. But it was Cleon's strong will that made Athens send the extra troops needed.

It was also likely Cleon's idea to double the taxes paid by Athens' allies in 425 BC. He was not re-elected as general for 423–22 BC after a setback when Sparta attacked Amphipolis. In 422 BC, he was sent to recapture Amphipolis.

During this campaign, Cleon was outsmarted by the Spartan general Brasidas. Cleon was killed when his army was defeated at the Battle of Amphipolis. Brasidas also died in this battle. Their deaths removed the main obstacles to peace. So, in 421 BC, the peace of Nicias was signed.

How Writers Saw Cleon

The writers Aristophanes and Thucydides showed Cleon in a very negative way. They might have been right that he caused mistrust in Athens. He used many informants to keep an eye on the city.

However, both writers might have been biased against Cleon. Aristophanes, a playwright, had a personal problem with Cleon. Cleon may have accused him of making fun of Athens' policies in front of foreigners during a dangerous time. Thucydides, a historian, was exiled by a decision that Cleon proposed. This happened after Thucydides was accused of military failure.

Because of these personal issues, it's possible that Cleon was unfairly portrayed by these two famous writers.

Cleon's power came from his strong, sometimes aggressive, way of speaking. He often spoke against intellectuals and nobles. He was a populist, meaning he appealed directly to the common people. This style probably made him many enemies. He seemed to focus on quick wins. His policies benefited the poor people of Athens, but often at the cost of heavy taxes on Athens' allies.

See also

In Spanish: Cleón de Atenas para niños