24. Athens’ Stunning Ingratitude
Following his brilliant victory at Marathon, Miltiades returned to Athens in glory. It did not last for long. The following year, he led a strong expedition against some Greek islands that had supported the Persians, but bungled it badly, and suffered a severe leg into the bargain.
Miltiades’ defeat seemed so absurd to the Athenians, that they figured it could only be explained by deliberate treachery on his part. His fellow citizens, whom he had so recently saved, put him on trial for treason. He was convicted and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to a heavy fine. Miltiades was kept in prison while his family friends scurried to raise the money for the fine, and died in lockup when his leg wound became infected.