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[edit] Version after ana's contributions (as of 10:00, 5 March 2007)
Aristides (Greek Ἀριστείδης, 530 BC–468 BC) was an Athenian statesman. He was nicknamed "the Just" because it was popularly recognized that --with moderate attitude-- never Aristides sought either personal glory or gaining money. Plato called him the only man in Athens worth admiring. [citation needed]
[edit] Origins
Aristides was the son of Lysimachus, and a member of a family of moderate fortune. Of his early life we are only told that he became a follower of the statesman Cleisthenes. Also, because he admired the Spartan Lykurgus intensely, --eventually-- Aristides led the aristocratic party, defending such government form in Athenian politics. [1] The difference --which was between Aristides’ rather humble origins & his aristocratic party-- was overcome because, in this epoch in the quite poor Athens, between the highest class & the lowest one, --statistically-- the contrast represented a triple wealth difference only. [2]
[edit] Being Strategos at Marathon
In 490, the Persians attempted invading Attica, from Marathon. Aristides was named strategos, for his own Antiochis tribe. Then, his popularity was the second, behind Militiades, whereas Aristides was the politician who brought Militiades' plans into the Athenian Assembly. By these, Athens responded immediately, against the "barbarians." In the Athenian camp, --as Athenian general-- Aristides relinquished his command, to Militiades, and this example was followed by all other strategos. Consequently, the Athenian Army was strategically solid. During the Battle of Marathon, Aristides fought bravely, at middle battlefront at which the enemy was more toughly concentated. Near him, Themistocles was fighting also bravely. After the Athenian victory, Aristides was left there so he protected the treasures which covered the battlefield. With his incorruptible trait, Neither he stole nor he let stealing. Additionally, he observed the war prisoners. [3]
It was no doubt that, in consequence of the distinction which was then achieved, he was elected Chief Archon for the ensuing year (489–488).
[edit] His Political Career
Pursuing the so aristocratic policy which aimed at maintaining Athens as a land power, Aristides was among the chief opponents of the so popular naval policy of Themistocles. Also, whereas --in public function-- Aristides had a quite ethical attitude, he kept denouncing the excesses which were performed both by much politician and particularly by the publicly controversial Themistocles. Once, Aristides explained that Themistocles was "a clever man, however with an itching palm", referring pecuniary malversation. [4] Indeed, this struggle forced that Aristides had forgotten his so-just principles, opposing any political initiative, which may benefit Themistocles --eventually--. It didn't matter if the initiatives were benefiting, for Athens. At the Athenian assembly, Aristides boasted that, "only, Athens will be saved if both me & Themistocles are thrown into the barathrum" --which was a deep pit, into which criminals were thrown--. [5]
The conflict between the two leaders ended in the ostracism of Aristides, at a date variously given between 485 and 482. As traditionally, Athenian people who had dangerously accumulated excessive power ended exiled, for ten years. Particularly, Themistocles blamed that Aristides had denaturalized the Athenian courts because the Athenians were bringing all arbitration case, toward the so-just Aristides' office. Thus, Aristides might become "king of Athens" eventually although "he didn't have any bodyguard, yet." Logically, the ultimate motivations were political. [6] It is said that, on this occasion, an illiterate voter, who did not know him, came up to him, and giving him his voting sherd, desired him to write upon it the name of Aristides. The latter asked if Aristides had wronged him. "No," was the reply, "and I do not even know him, but I am tired of hearing him everywhere called, 'The Just'." After hearing this Aristides wrote his own name on the sherd. He was then exiled for a period of five years. Leaving Athens, Aristides raised his hands and he prayed that "no crisis may force that Athens may have to remember me." [7]
[edit] Defending Athens against the Persian Invasion
Early in 480 Aristides profited by the decree recalling exiles. By this political maneuver, Themistocles --who was the great Athenian leader, then-- got sure that neither Aristides might join Persia --which was about invading Attica, massively-- nor nobody might follow him --similarly-- although --ever-- Aristides had been calling the Athenians, against the "barbarians." Additionally, people wanted Aristides' return. After returning, Aristides was appointed strategos, for 480-479, and --immediately-- he began supporting Themistocles' popular leadership --actively-- because it was the best defense, for Athens. [8]
In the Battle of Salamis, the Persians were about attacking, by Themistocles' cheat, and Aristides was among the first individuals --who had perceived the Persian maneuvers--. On that night, from Aegina, Aristides rushed, sailing dangerously through the enemy's blockade, toward Salamis, to meet Themistocles' at his tent. Then, Themistocles thought that, with his well known reputation, Aristides could help, inciting the Greek navy, talking particularly to the difficult Spartan Admiral Eurybiades. Subsequently, --with reconciling tone-- Themistocles confessed to Aristides that --indeed-- he had provoked the enemy. Then, Aristides supported this decision and he defended him, before any other general. Right after, Aristides commanded the toughest Athenian infantry, at Psyttaleia, destroying this Persian garrison. Therein, he captured notable Persians, among whom three Xerxes I's nephews were. Before the battle, these children were sacrificed, in Bacchus' behalf. By this capture, Aristides got strategic advantage because --right there-- the main naval fights happened. This battle was an historically decisive Athenian victory. [9]
Right after Salamis, the Persian Aegean navy ended completely dismembered. Aristides was inquired by Themistocles because –initially-- the popular Athenian leader wanted to tear Dardanelle's Persian bridges down. Immediately, Aristides opposed this, convincing Themistocles, so Persia may drain his stranded 300,000 man army, out of both Boeotia & Attica, somehow. Consequently, Themistocles dispatched a missive --which menaced, with destroying the bridges, imminently--, right to Xerxes I, and --indeed-- the Persians believed the lie, recalling most troops. [10]
[edit] Warring at Plataea
With unlimited powers, Aristides was reelected as strategos, for other year. Thus, in 479, he commanded the Athenian army, at the Battle of Plataea, along the Asopus river. There, the whole Greek army was led by the Spartan Pausanias whereas the Persians were led by Mardonius.
By a mystical incident, Aristides provoked that Plataea relinquished the battlefield, to Attica, so the Athenians were fighting inside their own territory --under the Delphian gods' demands--. [11]
Later, Aristides was particularly upset after much Athenian soldiers --who were former aristocrats, whose lands had been spoilt by the Persian occupation-- began conspiring, in Persian behalf. [12]
Right before the battle, the Macedonian King Alexander sneaked out of the Persian camp and he told Aristides that Mardonius --whose troops were starving-- was about attacking. [13] During the very same battle, a crisis was unleashed and Aristides' Athenian troops spent the whole battle fighting against many revolting Athenian soldiers --who turned for Persia, just-then--, among whom the Thebans were the most decided. Subsequently, With his Athenian troops, Aristides struk the large Persian camp --whose walls were wooden-- because the Spartans didn't have sufficient experience, for besieging. [14]
After the Greek victory, Aristides led Greece politically, in many decisions which affected the whole nation. These were about the fled Persians' booty's division, about the religious celebrations, & about a levy --which would finance a new Greek army--. [15]
Aristides respected that all Athenians had fought, as heroes, against the "barbarians," so --being back in Athens-- he supported the popular decision that --henceforth-- the Eponymous Archon began being democratically elected, out from common Athenians. [16]
[edit] At the Aegean Sea
In 478, --against Persia-- Aristides was commanded to Ionia and, there, he won the local Greek cities' trust because he opposed the tyrannic policies which were implemented by the same Pausanias --on Spartan behalf--. The Ionian revolt shook the Spartan policies although Sparta stayed in power. However, these Greek colonies gave absolute discretion to Aristides so he may fix the contributions of the newly formed confederacy, the Delian League. His 460 talent assessment was universally accepted as equitable, and continued as the basis of taxation for the greater part of the league’s duration. [17] Subsequently, Aristides organized ceremonies, which celebrated the league's bonding. He ordered that all local Greeks pledged against Persia. Then, he threw red-hot iron wedges into the Aegean Sea so the gods "may treat any traitor similarly." [18]
However, --back in Athens-- Aristides took an extremely nationalist attitude. Even, he defended that Athens should seize the League's treasury, from Delos, betraying the inked treaties. He explained that "this isn't a just idea but it's expedient." [19]
[edit] His Last Years
Afterward, he continued to hold a predominant position in Athens. At first he seems to have remained on good terms with Themistocles, whom he is said to have helped in outwitting the Spartans over the rebuilding of the walls of Athens. Indeed, Aristides witnessed his ostracism although both he abstained declaring against Themistocles and he didn't celebrate the condemnation. [20]
Later, Aristides was legally accused, by doubtful charges, and he was found guilty. However, many other statesmen suffered similar unjustified legal aggressions, in that moment. [21]
Some authorities said that Aristides died at Athens --with popular cherishing-- whereas other sources pointed that Aristides died on a journey to the Black Sea, at Pontus. The date of his death is given by Nepos as 468. This was before Pericles' rising. In any case, Aristides' tomb was located at Phalerum whereas it was built by public funds.
Aristides' estate seems to have suffered severely from the Persian invasions, for apparently he did not leave enough money to defray the expenses of his burial, and it is known that his descendants even in the 4th century received state pensions.
[edit] His Humble Traits
Leaving the public function, Aristides was poorer than he was when he started it. Indeed, --personally-- Aristides flaunted that he was more proud by his poverty than he was by his whole career's victories. Ironically, Plutarch explains that Aristides could have been legally rich for the rest of his life, just by taking some booty from any battlefield. [22]
For instance, in a trial --at which Aristides' quite rich cousin Callias faced the capital charge--, the officials depicted Aristides, in these years. They described that --publicly-- Aristides showed himself, wearing the same cloak --which was worn out, already--, that --outdoors-- Aristides shivered by malnourishment, and that his common necessaries remained unsatisfied. [23]
[edit] Quotes
- "For a better commander, relinquishing isn't a disgrace but it's an act, which is both noble and necessary". [24]
- "Whilst the yonder sun continues its course, Athens will be Persia's enemy because both its lands had been ravaged and its temples had been desecrated" [25]
[edit] Trivia
- Indeed, Aristides knew Themistocles, from their wee life. Both fought about a woman, whose name was Ariston & who was from Chios. Additionally, they rivaled, in many sports where --even then-- Aristides distinguished by his traits --which were about “fair play”, always--. [26]
- Plutarch points that Aristides was there, in the most glorious Athenian victories, which were Marathon, Salamis, & Plataea, although --never-- Aristides distinguished conspicuously. At Marathon, the victory was credited to Militiades. At Salamis, Themistocles got absolutely all glory. At Plataea, Pausanias was most celebrated.
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Plutarch compares both Aristides & Marcus Cato. It is in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
- ^ Aristides by Plutarch, in Wikisource.
[edit] References
Cornelius Nepos, Aristides (German)(Latin)
[edit] Version before
Aristides (Greek Ἀριστείδης, 530 BC–468 BC) was an Athenian statesman, nicknamed "the Just". Plato called him the only man in Athens worth admiring. [citation needed] He was the son of Lysimachus, and a member of a family of moderate fortune. Of his early life we are only told that he became a follower of the statesman Cleisthenes and sided with the aristocratic party in Athenian politics. He first came to notice as strategos in command of his native tribe Antiochis at the Battle of Marathon, and it was no doubt in consequence of the distinction which he then achieved that he was elected archon for the ensuing year (489–488). In pursuance of a conservative policy which aimed at maintaining Athens as a land power, he was one of the chief opponents of the naval policy of Themistocles.
The conflict between the two leaders ended in the ostracism of Aristides, at a date variously given between 485 and 482. It is said that, on this occasion, an illiterate voter, who did not know him, came up to him, and giving him his voting sherd, desired him to write upon it the name of Aristides. The latter asked if Aristides had wronged him. "No," was the reply, "and I do not even know him, but I am tired of hearing him everywhere called, 'The Just'." After hearing this Aristides wrote his own name on the sherd. He was then exiled for a period of five years. Early in 480 Aristides profited by the decree recalling exiles to help in the defence of Athens against Persian invaders, and was elected strategos for the year 480–479. In the Battle of Salamis he gave loyal support to Themistocles, and crowned the victory by landing Athenian infantry on the island of Psyttaleia and annihilating the Persian garrison stationed there.
In 479 he was re-elected strategos, and given special powers as commander of the Athenian forces at the Battle of Plataea; he is also said to have suppressed a conspiracy among some oligarchic malcontents in the army. He so won the confidence of the Ionian allies that, after revolting from the Spartan admiral Pausanias, they gave him the chief command and left him with absolute discretion in fixing the contributions of the newly formed confederacy, the Delian League. His assessment was universally accepted as equitable, and continued as the basis of taxation for the greater part of the league’s duration.
He continued to hold a predominant position in Athens. At first he seems to have remained on good terms with Themistocles, whom he is said to have helped in outwitting the Spartans over the rebuilding of the walls of Athens. He is said by some authorities to have died at Athens, by others on a journey to the Black Sea. The date of his death is given by Nepos as 468; at any rate he lived to witness the ostracism of Themistocles, towards whom he always displayed generosity, but he died before the rise of Pericles. His estate seems to have suffered severely from the Persian invasions, for apparently he did not leave enough money to defray the expenses of his burial, and it is known that his descendants even in the 4th century received state pensions.
[edit] References
- Cornelius Nepos, Aristides (German)(Latin)
 Athenian statesmen | Ancient Greece  |
|---|
| Aeschines - Agyrrhius - Alcibiades - Andocides - Archinus - Aristides - Aristogeiton - Aristophon - Autocles |
| Callistratus - Chremonides - Cimon - Cleisthenes - Cleophon - Cleon - Critias |
| - Demades - Demetrius Phalereus - Demochares - Democles - Demosthenes |
| Ephialtes - Eubulus - Hyperbolus - Hypereides - Laches- Lycurgus - Lysicles |
| Miltiades - Moerocles - Nicias - Peisistratus - Pericles - Philinus - Phocion - Themistocles |
| Theramenes - Thrasybulus - Thucydides - Xanthippus |
| The Works of Plutarch | ||
|---|---|---|
| The Works | Parallel Lives | The Moralia | Pseudo-Plutarch | |
| The Lives |
Alcibiades and Coriolanus1 • Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar • Aratus of Sicyon & Artaxerxes and Galba & Otho2 • Aristides and Cato the Elder1 |
|
| The Translators | John Dryden | Thomas North | Jacques Amyot | Philemon Holland | Arthur Hugh Clough | |
|
1 Comparison extant 2 Four unpaired Lives |
||
