Callias II

Callias was an Ancient Greek statesman, soldier and diplomat active in 5th century BC. He is commonly known as Callias II to distinguish him from his grandfather, Callias I, and from his grandson, Callias III, who apparently squandered the family's fortune.

Life Born to the wealthy Athenian family that provided slaves to the state-owned silver mine of Laurion, Callias was one of the richest men in Athens. He fought at the Battle of Marathon (490) in priestly attire. Plutarch relates that after the battle, an enemy soldier confused Callias for a king and showed him where a large quantity of gold had been hidden in a ditch. Callias is said to have killed the man and secretly taken the treasure, but rumour later spread of the incident, and comic poets gave his family the name Laccopluti, or "enriched by the ditch".

Around the time of the death of Miltiades, Callias offered to pay the debt that Cimon had inherited from his father in exchange for Cimon's sister Elpinice's hand in marriage, and Cimon agreed.

A supporter of Pericles, who was the effective leader of Athens during this period, Callias took on the role of diplomat and ambassador of Athens and of the Delian League. he went to Susa to conclude with Artaxerxes a peace treaty,

Callias' fate upon his return to Athens remains a mystery, and information about his later years remain only fragmentary. According to Demosthenes, he was fined fifty talents on his return to Athens. Other sources claim