Miltiades the Elder
Encyclopedia
Miltiades the Elder was a member of an immensely wealthy Athenian
noble family, the Philaids. He is said to have opposed the tyrant
Peisistratus
, which may explain why he left Athens around 550 BC to found a colony in the Thracian Chersonese
(now the Gallipoli Peninsula). The colony was semi-independent of Athens and was ruled by Miltiades until his death around 524 BC. He died childless, leaving his lands to Stesagoras, the son of his half-brother Cimon the Elder. Before his death he fortified the peninsula, building a wall across it to defend against incursions by hostile native peoples. His step-nephew, Miltiades the Younger
, later became tyrant of the Thracian Chersonese. Named after his uncle, the junior Miltiades is best known for his victory over the Persians at Marathon
. The Philaid dynasty was continued by his son, Cimon the Younger. The name "Miltiades" derives from miltos, a red ochre
clay used as paint. It was a name often given to red-haired babies.
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
noble family, the Philaids. He is said to have opposed the tyrant
Tyrant
A tyrant was originally one who illegally seized and controlled a governmental power in a polis. Tyrants were a group of individuals who took over many Greek poleis during the uprising of the middle classes in the sixth and seventh centuries BC, ousting the aristocratic governments.Plato and...
Peisistratus
Peisistratus
Peisistratos or Peisistratus or Pisistratus may refer to:*Peisistratos of Athens, tyrant at various times between 561 and 528 BC*Pisistratus the younger, r...
, which may explain why he left Athens around 550 BC to found a colony in the Thracian Chersonese
Thracian Chersonese
The Thracian Chersonese was the ancient name of the Gallipoli peninsula, in the part of historic Thrace that is now part of modern Turkey.The peninsula runs in a south-westerly direction into the Aegean Sea, between the Hellespont and the bay of Melas . Near Agora it was protected by a wall...
(now the Gallipoli Peninsula). The colony was semi-independent of Athens and was ruled by Miltiades until his death around 524 BC. He died childless, leaving his lands to Stesagoras, the son of his half-brother Cimon the Elder. Before his death he fortified the peninsula, building a wall across it to defend against incursions by hostile native peoples. His step-nephew, Miltiades the Younger
Miltiades the Younger
Miltiades the Younger or Miltiades IV was the son of one Cimon, a renowned Olympic chariot-racer. Miltiades considered himself a member of the Aeacidae, and is known mostly for his role in the Battle of Marathon; as well as his rather tragic downfall afterwards. His son Cimon was a major Athenian...
, later became tyrant of the Thracian Chersonese. Named after his uncle, the junior Miltiades is best known for his victory over the Persians at Marathon
Battle of Marathon
The Battle of Marathon took place in 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece. It was fought between the citizens of Athens, aided by Plataea, and a Persian force commanded by Datis and Artaphernes. It was the culmination of the first attempt by Persia, under King Darius I, to subjugate...
. The Philaid dynasty was continued by his son, Cimon the Younger. The name "Miltiades" derives from miltos, a red ochre
Ochre
Ochre is the term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow brown color and for a form of earth pigment which produces the color. The pigment can also be used to create a reddish tint known as "red ochre". The more rarely used terms "purple ochre" and "brown ochre" also exist for variant hues...
clay used as paint. It was a name often given to red-haired babies.
Sources
- Hammond, N.G.L., Scullard, H.H. eds. Oxford Classical Dictionary, Second Edition; Oxford University Press 1970; ISBN 0-19-869117-3