Aristides the Just

Aristides was an Athenian statesman and general of the Persian Wars, known to antiquity as the Just. Born around 530 BC, he came from a well-off family and entered politics in the generation that established the democracy. He was one of the ten generals at Marathon in 490 BC, where the Athenians defeated a much larger Persian force. He is said to have supported Miltiades in the decision to attack, and to have yielded his day of command to him. His rivalry with Themistocles defined the following decade, and it was a genuine strategic disagreement rather than personal ambition alone. When new silver was struck at Laurium, Themistocles wanted it spent on a fleet; Aristides argued for distributing it to the citizens and for continuing to rely on hoplite infantry. Themistocles won, and Aristides was ostracised in 482 BC. Plutarch preserves the story that an illiterate citizen, not recognising him, asked him to write the name Aristides on his ostrakon; asked why, the man said he was tired of hearing him called the Just. Aristides wrote his own name and handed it back. He was recalled under the amnesty when Xerxes invaded in 480 BC, served at Salamis, and commanded the Athenian contingent at Plataea in 479 BC, the battle that ended the invasion. He then organised the Delian League, assessing what each allied state should contribute in ships or money. The assessment was accepted as fair by all parties, which is why the epithet stuck, and it became the machinery through which Athens later built an empire. He is said to have died poor around 468 BC.

• Lived: 530 BCE – 468 BCE
• Nationality: Greek
• Roles: statesman, general