After Marathon, Militiades was put in charge of the Athenian fleet of 70 ships to carry the war against the islands in the Aegean which had supported the Persians. While he was besieging the town of Paros, his night-time operations against the town were interrupted by flames shooting up from the mainland, which was clearly visible from the island. Miltiades thought it was a signal that the Persian fleet was on its way and retreated.
When he got back to Athens Miltiades was accused by Xanthippus of deceiving the people and having been bribed by the Persians to lift the siege. During the trial he was still ill from the wounds he had suffered during the siege, and so his defence was mounted by his brother, Stesagoras. Miltiades was found guilty, more because his power from his former position in the Chersonese was said to be a threat to the infant Athenian democracy than because he was guilty of the actual charges, but because of his previous services to Athens the death penalty was commuted to a fine of 50 talents. Because he was unable to pay, he was sent to prison where he died from his wounds (489 or 488). Nevertheless, his son Cimon still had to pay the fine.
Primary Sources Cornelius Nepos' biography of Miltiades
Herodotus' Histories:
Miltiades tries to persuade the Ionians to destroy the bridge
In book VI paragraphs 34-41 tell the story of Miltiades' family's involvement in Chersonese. Paragraphs 103-117 tell the story of the battle of Marathon. Paragraphs 132-136 tell the story of Miltiades' campaign in Paros and its aftermath. 137-140 tells the story of how Miltiades came to take possesssion of Lemnos for Athens.
A picture of the helmet Miltiades wore at the battle of Marathon, now in the museum at Olympia.
