The Trial of Miltiades

Miltiades' expeditionary failure provided an opportunity for his political enemies to bring him down. The Athenians quickly turned on their great hero, most likely under the suspicion that his ambitions were close to Tyranical. He was brought to court and tried by Xanthippus, formally for the charge of deceiving the people. But his wound was becoming infected, and he was unable to defend himself. So as he attended his trial, seated on a chair, his friends and relatives spoke on his behalf. Even though they highlighted what he had done for the Athenian people at Marathon, he was still found guilty.