Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why was Thucydides sent to command an Athenian fleet near Thasos?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Thucydides Thucydides manuscript, 3rd century bc (Hamburg, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek, P. Hamburg 163).

In 424 BCE, Thucydides was elected as one of the ten stratēgoi (military magistrates) of Athens. He was chosen to command the Athenian fleet in the Thraceward region, based at Thasos, primarily because of his personal connections and influence in that area.1

Thucydides possessed property in Thrace, which included mining rights in the gold mines located opposite Thasos. His family background also provided him with significant local ties; his father, Olorus, was likely of Thracian descent, and Thucydides was related to the prominent Athenian statesman and general Miltiades, who had previously married the daughter of a Thracian prince.1

Despite his local influence, his command ended in failure when he was unable to prevent the Spartan general Brasidas from capturing the strategic city of Amphipolis. Consequently, Thucydides was recalled to Athens, tried, and sentenced to exile.1