Tolmides
Tolmides, (Greek: Τολμίδης), son of Tolmaeus, was a leading Athenian general of the First Peloponnesian War. He rivalled Pericles and Myronides for the military leadership of Athens during the 450s and early 440s BC.[1]
In 455 BC, Tolmides was given command of a fleet and a force of 4,000 soldiers in order to sail round the coasts of the
Peloponnesus attacking the Spartans and their allies. Tolmides seized the city of Methone in Messenia but was then forced to abandon it due to the arrival of a Spartan force.[2] He attacked the chief Spartan port of Gytheion and burnt the dockyards.[3] He also attacked the island of Cythera
.
Tolmides made an alliance with
hoplites sent against him.[7]
Later, Tolmides settled Athenian
Coronea and the Athenians suffered a heavy defeat with Tolmides dying in the battle.[9]
The Athenian defeat at the First Battle of Coronea heralded the end of the ‘Athenian Land Empire’.