Cleophon

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Kleophon ( Greek Κλεοφῶν Kleophon ; † .. 404 BC ), son of Kleippidos, one was an Athenian politician in the 5th century BC. During the Peloponnesian War . From 411 BC He was leader of the radical democrats and campaigned for the continuation of the war.

Satyr with a Greek lyre

Ascent

Several ancient authors claim that Cleophon had a low origin, but these allegations have at least been partially corrected since the discovery of his father's name. His mother probably came from Thrace , which explains the criticism of his unkempt language. A shard with the same patronymic also suggests that he had a brother named Philinos. At least Kleophon had to acquire his fortune himself and initially worked as a lyre manufacturer .

Cleophon's leading role in Athenian politics is documented for the first time by the votes allotted to him at the ostracism of the year 417 BC. BC, by which as a result of an agreement between the leading statesmen Alcibiades and Nicias the demagogue Hyperbolus was banished. Apparently, Cleophon also received quite a few votes, as his name is mentioned most often among the broken fragments.

Leader of the war party

After Alkibiades and Nikias were also eliminated as competitors as a result of the unfortunate expedition to Sicily , Cleophon had been at the latest since the oligarchical interlude of the year 411 BC. Chr. The trend-setting demagogue in Attic People's Assembly. As the leader of the radical war party, he turned against any peace initiative. After the surprising victory in the battle of Kyzikos in 410 BC. BC he incited the people with a fiery speech and thus achieved the rejection of the Spartan peace offer.

Social politician

With the help of the tribute and customs revenue, which grew again after the victory of Kyzikos and the conquest of Byzantium , he introduced Diobelia , a state pension for impoverished citizens, as head of the financial administration , which contributed to the critical financial situation of Athens in the final years of the war. Probably thanks in part to this measure, however, he succeeded in creating a solid power base in the People's Assembly, with the help of which he dominated Athenian politics for several years.

Perseverance slogans

After the victorious battle of the Arginus in 406 BC. In BC Cleophon again thwarted the start of peace negotiations with Sparta. After the devastating defeat of the Athenian fleet at the Battle of Aigospotamoi in 405 BC. He accused the State Council of treason. Notwithstanding the desperate situation of the city, he rejected all Spartan peace conditions during the siege by Lysander and had a decree passed according to which every proposal for negotiation should be punished with death.

Indictment and death

The oligarchic leaders Satyros and Chremon , who later became one of the 30 tyrants under Kritias , finally had him arrested and thrown in dungeon on a bogus charge of military breach of duty. Fearing for the outcome of the proceedings, they bribed the Athenian town clerk Nicomachus to issue a forged law in order to achieve a more favorable composition of the court. With this trick, Cleophon was finally convicted. As he apparently still had numerous followers, riots broke out in Athens during his execution.

reception

For his incitement to war, Cleophon was severely scolded by contemporary comedy . The comedy poet Aristophanes made him 405 BC. In his frogs ridiculous. The comedian Plato even dedicated a whole comedy to him with the title Cleophon , which, however, took place at the Lenées of 405 BC. After the frogs of Aristophanes and the muses of Phrynichus took only third place. Even Aristotle criticized him in his work on the Constitution of Athens and reported that he drunk and went in full armor to the People's Assembly to the Athenians of their readiness for peace dissuade.

evaluation

The ancient authors said that Cleophon had a vulgar demeanor, placing him in a row with his predecessors Kleon and Hyperbolus , who, as leaders of the radical democrats, also gained the favor of the common people through their supposedly naughty behavior. The rhetorician Lysias claims that because of this he had more than just friends among the Democrats. At least he recognizes that Cleophon did not get rich at the expense of the state and apparently died penniless.

According to Konrat Ziegler , he was "obviously a runaway but unselfish patriot". Through his persistent resistance to any compromise peace, Cleophon played a decisive role in the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War and in the loss of the Attic Empire , which was so close to his heart.

swell

literature

Remarks

  1. ↑ Herbert Heftner: The Ostracism of Hyperbolos: Plutarch, pseudo-Andokides and the Ostraka. In: Rheinisches Museum für Philologie , Volume 143, 2000, pp. 50f. ( PDF ).
  2. ↑ Diodor , Library 13,53,2.
  3. ↑ Lysias , Speeches 19:48. Cf. Konrat Ziegler : Kleophon 1. In: Der Kleine Pauly (KlP). Volume 3, Stuttgart 1969, column 251.
  4. ↑ Lysias, Reden 13.8 and 30.10 and Xenophon , Hellenika 2.2.15.
  5. ↑ Lysias, Speeches 13: 7-12 and 30.10-13.
  6. ↑ Xenophon, Hellenika 1,7,35.
  7. ↑ Aristotle , The State of Athens 28.3 and 34.1.
  8. ↑ Lysias, Speeches 19:48.
  9. ^ Konrat Ziegler: Kleophon 1. In: Der Kleine Pauly (KlP). Volume 3, Stuttgart 1969, column 251.
personal data
SURNAME Cleophon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Cleophon
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Athenian politician
DATE OF BIRTH before 450 BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH after 404 BC Chr.