Cleon was an Athenian politician and general who was an opponent of Pericles, the prominent statesman and leader of Athens during the 5th century BC. He was a strong advocate of aggressive tactics in the Peloponnesian War and was known for his outspokenness and brashness. He was a major figure in Athenian politics during the period of the Peloponnesian War and is often seen as a foil to Pericles.