ARISTI'DES, surnamed " THE JrsT," was the son of Lysimachus, and descended from one of the best families in Athens. He was one of the ten leaders of the Athenians against the Persians at the battle of Marathon (490 B. C). It had been arranged that each leader (or strategos) should hold the supreme command for one day; but A., who saw the folly of this want of unity, induced his companions to give up their claims, and make Miltiades commander-in-chief, which proved the means of winning the battle. In the following year A. was chief archon, and in this position, as iu every other, se sured the general respect of the citizens. Some years later, probably because he had opposed the plans of Themistocles, that unscrupulous leader brought about the banish ment of A. It is said that when an illiterate citizen, who did not know him personally, requested him to write his own name on the voting shell, he asked the man whether A. had injured him. " No," said the voter; " but I am weary of hearing him always styled 'the Just.'" A. submitted to the sentence with dignity, praying to the gods, as he left the city, that the Athenians might not have cause to repent of their decision. Only three years later, Xerxes, with an overwhelming force, had invaded Greece. A., hear ing that the Greek fleet was surrounded by that of the Persians, hastened from ...Egina
to apprise Themistocles of the danger, and offer his aid. After taking a prominent part in the battle of Salamis, A. was restored to popular favor, and soon afterwards aided greatly in achieving the victory at Plabea, in which he commanded the Athenians. In 477 n.c., he introduced a change in the constitution, by which all citizens, without dis tinction of rank, were admitted to political offices. As showing the confidence reposed in A., it is related that Themistocles having announced that he had a scheme very ad vantageous for Athens, but which he could not disclose in a public assembly, A. was deputed to consult with Themistocles on the subject. The plan was to secure the naval supremacy of Athens by burning all the vessels of the other Greek states, her allies, then lying in a neighboring harbor. A. reported to the people that nothing could be more advantageous than the plan of Themistocles, but nothing could be more unjust; and the matter was immediately rejected by the people. After a variety of other public services, A. died in old age, and universally respected, 468 B.C., so poor that it is said his funeral had to be provided for by the public. He left a son and two daughters, for whom provision was made by state bounty.