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Phormio, the son of Asopius, was an
Athens|Athenian general and admiral during the
Peloponnesian War. Nothing is known of him except
for the information provided by Thucydides in his
History of the Peloponnesian War.

At the beginning of the Peloponnesian War he was
assigned to lead the Athenian troops against
Potidaea. He blockaded the town and pillaged the
surrounding land. Later in 432 BC he shared
command of the Athenian fleet with Thucydides and
Hagnon against Samos.

In 431 BC he led 1600 Athenians against
Chalcidice, along with Perdiccas of Macedon. In
430 BC he led the Athenian fleet sent to help
Ambracia and Acarnania at the Battle of Potidaea.
He stationed the fleet of twenty ships at
Naupactus to blockade Corinth, Greece|Corinth.
Phormio defeated the Corinthian fleet at the
Battle of Naupactus (429 BC)|Battle of Naupactus
in 429 BC, trapping them in the narrow strait and
capturing twelve of their ships. A larger
Corinthian and Spartan fleet attempted to attack
him again a few days later, and although he lost
many of his own ships he forced them to withdraw
for a second time.

After these victories he landed 400 Athenians in
Acarnania, engaged in some fighting with the
inhabitants, and then returned to Athens in 428
BC.

His son, also named Asopius, also commanded naval
expeditions during the war. Phormio is not
mentioned after 428.

Another Phormio was a freed slave who was the
subject of a speech by Demosthenes.

Phormio is also a comedy by the Roman Empire|Roman
playwright Terence.