Aristides died about the same time, universally la mented, (See ARISTIDES.) The whole power then came into the hands of Cimon the son of Miltiades, one of the most illustrious and accomplished characters whom Greece ever produced. He seems to have com bined the justice of Aristides with the enterprize of Themistocles. He rather inclined to favour the aris tocratical party, which always connected itself with Lacedemon, insomuch that he acquired the surname of Philolacones. Necessity, however, as well as generosi ty, prompted him to the most profuse distribution of the wealth which he obtained by his conquests in Thrace and Asia Minor. He kept an open table ; he allowed indiscriminate admission to his farms and gar dens. In process of time, however, he shared the usual lot of the chiefs of Athens. His aristocratical propen sities were not welcome to the people, who were now all powerful; and his regard to national justice, often clashed with that eagerness to grasp at every mode of acquisition, which too much distinguished the fo reign policy of Athens. He was accordingly ac cused for not having, witliout the least ground, made war on Macedonia, and he was condemned by the ostracism.
His successor was Pericles. He had supplanted his rival by the sedulous practices of all those arts, by which popular favour may be attained. The measures, however, which he proposed fo4this pur pose, were far from being either laudable or benefi cial to Athens. They consisted in removing every remaining check on the power of the people, already too exorbitant. He contracted greatly the jurisdic tion of the Areopagus, which had probably given umbrage to the popular assembly. Still, however, they missed the splendid liberality of Cimon, which Pericles was unable to rival. Out of this dilemma, he extricated himself in a manner equally unjustifiable and pernicious. He persuaded the people to employ, in their private accommodation and amusement, not only the public mriney, but the common treasury of Greece. It must be owned, however, to have been spent, under his direction, with equal taste and mag nificence. He adorned the city with splendid works of art ; he encouraged learned men ; and the drama, under his auspices, rose to a perfection before unat tained. His management of the foreign affairs of the republic, was moderate, wise, and vigorous. Cimon, after five years of banishment, was recalled, but died soon after, leaving the field entirely open to his suc cessor.
While these changes were going on at home, Athens carried on a continued and successful war against Persia, and all those who adhered to her cause. The fine island of Cyprus was first rescued
from them ; after which Cimon was sent to expel them completely from Thrace, an undertaking which was facilitated by the capture of Byzantium. Eion and Amphipolis, the only towns now remaining to them, were reduced, though the latter made a dread ful resistance; and when all hopes were over, the in habitants threw themselves, with their wives and chil dren, into the flames, rather than submit.
Cimon, having thus cleared Europe of the com mon enemy, sailed into Asia Minor, where, with the aid of the Grecian inhabitants, he drove them com pletely out of Caria and Lycia. He was then pro ceeding to attack Pamphylia, but Artaxerxes, soli citous to preserve his provinces, had fitted out a fcir midable army and fleet. The former encamped on the banks of the Eurymedon ; the latter, of 400 sail, was at the mouth of the river. Cimon immediately sailed with 250 gallies, attacked the Persian fleet, sunk a great part of it, and captured the rest, which had vainly sought shelter in the island of Cyprus. About 20,000 troops were found on board, which suggested to Cimon the following stratagem. He dressed his men in the clothes of these Persians, and hastening to the Eurymedon before the news of his victory had reached the Persian camp, procured ad mittance into it, attacked the army unexpectedly, totally defeated it, and made the greater part pri soners. These two victories, which were gained on the same day, raised Cimon to the utmost height of glory. An immense booty fell into the hands of the conquerors.
Soon after, an arrangement took place, which coin pletely rivetted the maritime supremacy of Athens. All these enterprises had been carried on by the con federate fleet of Greece, under Athenian commanders. But the allies grew weary of furnishing ships and men ; and Athens gladly consented to take this upon herself, on condition of their paying a composition in money. The sum was at first moderate; but Athens, now enjoying the whole maritime power of Greece, raised it at her will.
The Egyptians having revolted against the king of Persia, the Athenians, always ready for any adven ture, undertook to aid them. The army which they sent was at first successful, defeated the Persian forces, and laid siege to Memphis. When they were worn down, however, by•the fatigue of this siege, a new army, commanded by Megabazus, advanced up on them, compelled them to raise it, and to evacuate Egypt. The greater part perished in their retreat through the Lybian desert. Part of their fleet also was surrounded, and cut off by the Phoenicians.