Editing Cimon (section)

===Exile===
[[File:Scherbengericht.png|thumb|200px|Pieces of broken pottery ([[Ostracon]]) as voting tokens for ostracism. The persons nominated are [[Pericles]], Cimon and [[Aristides]], each with his [[patronymic]] (top to bottom).]]

This insulting rebuff caused the collapse of Cimon's popularity in Athens. As a result, he was [[Ostracism|ostracised]] from Athens for ten years beginning in 461 BC.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Goušchin|first=Valerij|date=26 February 2019|title=Plutarch on Cimon, Athenian Expeditions, and Ephialtes' Reform (Plut. Cim. 14–17)|url=https://grbs.library.duke.edu/article/view/16194|journal=Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies|language=en|volume=59|issue=1|pages=38–56|issn=2159-3159}}</ref> The reformer Ephialtes then took the lead in running Athens and, with the support of Pericles, reduced the power of the Athenian Council of the [[Areopagus]] (filled with ex-[[archon]]s and so a stronghold of [[oligarchy]]).

Power was transferred to the citizens, i.e. the [[Boule (ancient Greece)|Council of Five Hundred]], the Assembly, and the popular law courts. Some of Cimon's policies were reversed including his pro-Spartan policy and his attempts at peace with Persia. Many [[ostracism|ostraka]] bearing his name survive; one bearing the spiteful inscription: "''Cimon, son of Miltiades, and [[Elpinice]] too''" (his haughty sister).

In 458 BC, Cimon sought to return to Athens to assist its fight against Sparta at [[Tanagra]], but was rebuffed.