Aristides, << `ar` ih STY deez >> (530?-468? B.C.), called the “Just,” was an Athenian statesman and military leader. He was a rival of Themistocles, who wanted to make Athens a naval power. Aristides thought it best to maintain a powerful land force because the army, rather than the naval forces, had defeated the Persians at the battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. The issue between them was decided by the people about 483 B.C. According to custom, the Athenians voted on whether Aristides or Themistocles should be ostracized (banished). Each voter wrote one of the names on an ostracon (piece of pottery). Because of Themistocles’ great influence with the people, Aristides lost the vote, and was exiled.
Aristides remained loyal to Athens. In 480 B.C., he warned the city that the armies of Xerxes, King of Persia, were coming. He joined Themistocles at the battle of Salamis, and helped the Greek victory there by forcing the Persians off Psyttalea, an island near Salamis, with troops he had raised (see Salamis ). He was then called back from exile and appointed general in 479. From that time on, Aristides was the most powerful leader in Athens. In 477 B.C., the Delian League was formed to free and protect Greek colonies in Asia Minor from Persian rule. Aristides decided the amount of money and number of ships each city should give the league. He decided that each should give according to its ability to pay. Aristides served without pay, and was proud of his poverty. When he died, the state paid for his burial and provided for his family.
