I choose the likely man in preference to the rich man; I want a man without money rather than money without a man.

Elected archon in 493 BC he convinced the polis to increase the naval power of Athens which would be a recurring theme in his political career. Mardonius wintered in Boeotia and Thessaly and the Athenians were thus able to return to their city which had been burnt and razed by the Persians for the winter.

Themistocles (Greek: Θεμιστοκλῆς [tʰemistoklɛ̂ːs]; "Glory of the Law"; c. He was made governor of Magnesia and lived there for the rest of his life. Due to subterfuge on the part of Themistocles the Allies lured the Persian fleet into the Straits of Salamis and the decisive Greek victory there was the turning point in the invasion which was ended the following year by the defeat of the Persians at the land Battle of Plataea.