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Though democratic tendencies steadily grew at Athens, she was at no time without her conservative party. At the time of the Persian war it was still strong, and its leader was ARISTIDES, surnamed "The Just." He was one of the ten generals at Marathon, and set the example of giving up his turn of command to Miltiades. His energetic opposition to the innovating policy of Themistocles, and particularly to his development of the navy--which increased the importance of the poorer citizens--led to his ostracism seven years after Marathon. It is said that an illiterate citizen, not knowing him, asked him to write the name of Aristides for him on his voting tablet. "Has Aristides ever injured you?" "No, nor do I even know him; but it vexes me to hear him called 'the Just.'" Aristides without further reply wrote his name. When Xerxes was marching on Athens Themistocles carried a decree of amnesty for all exiles, and especially for his great opponent. Returning on the eve of Salamis, Aristides, at great risk, made his way through the Persian fleet, and it was he who brought the news to the assembled admirals that they were surrounded. He distinguished himself highly in the battle. Next year he commanded the Athenian contingent at the crowning victory of Platæa. The contrast between his character and that of the haughty and corrupt Spartan admiral, Pausanias, determined the maritimes States to make Athens their leader in the war which they continued to wage against Persia, and he was unanimously appointed to fix the contributions to the common fund. It speaks highly for his patriotism and good sense, that he frankly accepted all the democratic changes that had been carried by Themistocles, and even developed them further. Dying in honest poverty, he was buried at the public expense, and such was the respect of the Athenians for his probity--a rare virtue among Greek politicians--that his descendants long continued to receive pensions from the State.
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| This biography is
reprinted from The New Calendar of Great Men. Ed. Frederic
Harrison. London: Macmillan and Co., 1920. |
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