Cimon
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Exile
This insulting rebuff caused the collapse of Cimon's popularity at Athens. As a result, in 461 BC Ephialtes and Pericles were able to get agreement that Cimon be ostracised for ten years. With Cimon’s departure, the reformer Ephialtes took the lead in running Athens. Ephialtes, with the support of Pericles, reduced the power of the Athenian Council of Areopagus (filled with ex-archons and so a stronghold of oligarchy) and transferred them to the people, i.e. the Council of Five Hundred, the Assembly and the popular law courts. Some of Cimon’s policies were reversed including his pro-Spartan policy and his attempts at peace with Persia.
In 458 BC, Cimon sought to return to Athens to assist it in its fight against Sparta at Tanagra but was rebuffed.
