Callias II

Callias (Καλλίας, also Kallias) was an Ancient Greek statesman, soldier and diplomat, active in 5th century BCE. He is commonly known as Callias II to distinguish him from his grandfather, Callias I, and from his grandson, Callias III, who apparently squandered the family's fortune and on whom the once wealthy family apparently ended.

Born to the wealthy Athenian family known as providers of slaves to the state-owned silver mine of Laurion, he was one of the richest men in Athens at his time. Callias fought at the Battle of Marathon (490) in priestly attire. His son, Hipponicus, was also a military commander.

A follower of Perikles, one of the most renown Athenian democratic politicians of his era, Callias became one of the most prominent Athenian diplomats of his time. In about 461 BCE he made at least one embassy to the Persian king Artaxerxes I.

Some time after the death of Cimon, probably about 441 BCE or 448 BCE he was sent (once again?) to Susa to conclude with Artaxerxes I a treaty of peace named the Peace of Callias, ending the Persian Wars and safeguarding the Greek city-states in Asia Minor from Persian attacks. Around the same time he might have also been responsible for peace treaties with Rhegion and Leontinoi, as well as the later peace treaty with Sparta known as the Thirty Years' Peace.

Callias' fate upon his return to Athens remains a mystery and data on his later years remain only fragmentary. Some sources allege that his mission to Artaxerxes does not seem to have been successful and that he was indicted for high treason on his return to Athens and sentenced to a fine of fifty talents. Others claim, that the Athenians dedicated an altar of peace and voted special honours to Callias.