Aristides

ar-is-ti'des, surnamed "the Just," a citizen of Athens. He came into prominence at the battle of Marathon, 490 B. C., where he, with nine others, was appointed to lead the Athenian army, each taking command for a day. Aristides persuaded his companions to devolve the entire command upon Miltiades, in whose military genius they had the greatest confidence. The overwhelming defeat of the Persians proved the wisdom of this advice. We next hear of Aristides as opposing the plans of Themistocles for building ships. According to a law of Athens, any citizen might be banished for ten years by popular vote. Themistocles moved accordingly for the ostracism of Aristides. During the voting an illiterate fellow, who did not know Aristides, came up to him and asked him to write his name on the piece of pottery used as a ballot. Aristides asked the voter whether Aristides had injured him. "No," said the voter, "but I am weary of hearing him called Aristides the Just," and thereupon, so runs the story, Aristides wrote his own name on the ballot and retired to the island of Aegina. Later he returned to his native shore in time to render Themistocles valuable assistance in the battle of Salamis, and was thereupon restored to popular favor. This account of Aristides would not be complete without the story of his further relations with Themistocles. The latter, having announced that he had a plan to propose which could not be confided to a popular assembly, Aristides was appointed on a committee of three to inquire into the plan. Having ascertained that it contemplated a treacherous burning of all the ships of the rival Greek cities, then lying at harbor, Aristides reported that the plan proposed was very advantageous, but dishonorable; whereupon it was rejected without inquiry into its details. He died about 468 B. C. See Themistocles