What did a strategos do in ancient Athens?

In ancient Athens, a strategos (plural strategoi) was a high-ranking executive official who served as a military commander. Following reforms in 487 BCE, the strategoi superseded the polemarch as the primary leaders of the Athenian army.123

Key functions and characteristics of the office included:

• Military Command: A board of 10 strategoi was elected annually, with each representing one of the ten tribal units. They led military operations, either individually or collectively, depending on the scale of the campaign.1
• Political Influence: Beyond military duties, strategoi held significant political power, particularly in foreign affairs. They often conducted negotiations with other states and maintained special access to the council (Boule) that set the agenda for the assembly (Ecclesia).1
• Elective Status: Unlike many other Athenian magistracies that were filled by lot, the strategia was an elective office. This allowed for indefinite reelection, enabling individuals who commanded public confidence—such as Pericles—to establish considerable and lasting power.132

Sophocles, the famous Greek dramatist, served as a strategos in 440 BCE as a junior colleague to Pericles and held the position perhaps twice more during his life.2