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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Miltiades Biography MILTIADES - A famous Athenian general, son of Cimon (q.v.). He became "tyrant" of the Chersonesus after his brother Stesagoras, and accompanied Darius Hystaspis in his expedition against the Scythians, about 508 b.c. (See darius I.) He was one of those who were left by Darius in charge of the bridge over the Danube, and, when Darius failed to appear at the expected time, he advised that the bridge be destroyed and Darius left to his fate. This story, told by Herodotus, vi, 40, modern scholars doubt. Consult W. W. How and J. Wells on Herodotus, 1.c. (Oxford, 1912). Afterward he took Lemnos from the Persians, but, when the Persian fleet came near the Chersonesus, fled to Athens. Being chosen one of the 10 generals of the year 490 b.c., he defeated the Persians in that year in the great battle of Marathon (q.v.). Later he was intrusted by the Athenians with a fleet of 70 ships, with which he proceeded against Paros for the purpose of avenging a private grudge. The expedition having failed, he was, on his return to Athens, condemned to pay a fine of 50 talenta. Being unable to do this, he was thrown into prison, where he died of an injury received at Paros. The biography of this Miltiades by Cornelius Nepoa (q.v.) is extant. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XV (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 698. |