1Freed from custody in this way, Cimon quickly rose to the leading position. 1For he had enough eloquence, the greatest generosity, and great skill both in civil law and in military matters, because from boyhood he had served with his father in the armies. 1So he both kept the people of the city under his control and had the greatest influence with the army. 2First, as general, he routed great forces of Thracians at the river Strymon, founded the town of Amphipolis, and sent ten thousand Athenians there as a colony. 2Again as general, at Mycale he defeated and captured a fleet of two hundred Cypriot and Phoenician ships, and on the same day enjoyed equal fortune on land.
3For as soon as the enemy's ships had been captured, he led his forces out of the fleet and laid low a huge host of barbarians in a single charge. 4Having gained much plunder by this victory, as he was returning home, since some islands had already revolted because of the harshness of the rule, he strengthened those that were well disposed and forced those that had become estranged to return to their allegiance. 5Scyros, which the Dolopians inhabited at that time, he emptied because they had behaved rather defiantly; he expelled the old owners from the city and the island, and divided the lands among the citizens. 5The Thasians, who relied on their wealth, he broke by his arrival.
5From these spoils the citadel of Athens was adorned on the side where it faces south.