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Callixeinus

450 BC – 403 BC

Late 5th-century Athenian politician

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About Callixeinus

Lived 450 BC – 403 BC (aged 46–47). Callixeinus was a Greek politician.

alt=An image of an ostrakon, a piece of pottery used for voting in ancient Athens, inscribed with the name of Callixenus, who was proposed for ostracism. The artifact is displayed in the Ancient Agora Museum in Athens Callixenus (fl. 406 BC – 400 BC) was an Athenian politician who lived around the time of Socrates. After the Battle of Arginusae, Callixenus argued that the generals who failed to rescue Athenian shipwreck victims should be tried together by the Assembly. Euryptolemus brought a suit (graphe paranomon) against Callixenus claiming that the proposal was unlawful, but was forced to drop it in the face of public opinion. At the trial, the remaining generals – two, Aristogenes and Protomachus, had already fled Athens rather than face trial – were found guilty, and sentenced to death. A later rhetorical work by Aelius Aristides claims that Callixenus also proposed that the generals should not be buried, though this is certainly ahistorical.

As public opinion turned against the motion brought by Callixenus, a case was brought against him and he fled Athens. He returned in the general amnesty of 403, and died in Athens of starvation.

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Important facts

Born
450 BC, Athens
Birth century
Died
403 BC
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Callixenus, Kallixenos

People in Callixeinus's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Callixeinus's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Callixeinus?

Late 5th-century Athenian politician

When was Callixeinus born?

Callixeinus was born in 450 BC in Athens.

When did Callixeinus die?

Callixeinus died in 403 BC.

What was Callixeinus's occupation?

Callixeinus was a politician.

What nationality was Callixeinus?

Callixeinus was Greek.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Callixeinus

· Wikidata: Q5022836

· DBpedia: Callixenus

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Callixeinus. https://biography.guide/callixeinus/

MLA: "Callixeinus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/callixeinus/.

Chicago: "Callixeinus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/callixeinus/.

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