Themistocles

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Themistoklês (Θεμιστοκλῆς),” composed of two elements: “títhēmi (τίθημι)” (put, place, set, a setting, placement, arrangement, establish, institute) plus “kléos (κλέος)” (rumor, report, good report, fame, glory). In turn, the name means “glory of the law, glorious in the law, glorious for its justice.” Themistocles was an Athenian politician and a general. He was one of a new breed of politicians who rose to prominence in the early years of the Athenian democracy, along with his great rival Aristides. Themistocles grew up in a period of upheaval in Athens. Themistocles was born in Athens around 524 BC, the son of Neocles, who was, in the words of Plutarch, “no very conspicuous man.”