2.5 Partnership with Sparta

Just before the Athenians had made their retreat to Salamis during the war with Persia, a young nobleman on a personal mission led a procession of his friends up to the Acropolis, where he dedicated his horse’s bridle to Athena in her temple. On the walls were shields dedicated to the goddess. He took one down for his own use and carried this to the ships. The nobleman was a tall, stately man with a head of curly hair. His name was Cimon. His beau geste was a piece of political theater calculated to show the radical democrat Themistocles that the conservative aristocracy — some of them at least — were loyal to the state. The aristocrats were willing to sacrifice their lands, horses, and privileges in the desperate effort to save their homeland in a naval battle. By leaving his bridle as an offering, <a href="https://medium.com/the-first-philosophers/2-5-partnership-with-sparta-36782d21006">Read More</a>