About Cleonymus
Lived 500 BC – 460 BC. Cleonymus was a Greek politician.
Cleonymus was a political ally of Cleon and an Athenian general. Cleonymus was notorious for two things, his enormous size and gluttony, and most infamously, he dropped his shield and fled during the Athenian retreat at the Battle of Delium. He was branded a coward. This act is often used to comedic effect by Aristophanes in 6 different plays, The Acharnians, The Knights, The Clouds, The Wasps, Peace, and The Birds.
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Important facts
People in Cleonymus's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Cleonymus's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Cleonymus?
5th-century BC Athenian politician and general
When was Cleonymus born?
Cleonymus was born in 500 BC.
When did Cleonymus die?
Cleonymus died in 460 BC.
What was Cleonymus's occupation?
Cleonymus was a politician.
What nationality was Cleonymus?
Cleonymus was Greek.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Cleonymus of Athens
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Cleonymus. https://biography.guide/cleonymus-politician/
MLA: "Cleonymus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/cleonymus-politician/.
Chicago: "Cleonymus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/cleonymus-politician/.
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