Aristides Ostracism in Athens

Citizens of athens used to vote on who they wanted banished from the city. If a name appeared on six thousand ballots, that person would instantly be exiled. The greatest political figure in fifth century athens was undoubtedly pericles. But he too suffered ostracism for his superior airs and his insulting manner toward the commoners. And with his banishment, the athenians felt that ostracism had been degraded. So they ended the practice that for nearly a hundred years had been one of the keys to keeping the peace within athens.