Aristides acts as a great introduction to the wars that made Athens great, the defensive wars against the Persian invaders, occurring between 490 and 479 BC. Plutarch admired Aristides immensely, so he serves as a great introduction to the standards Plutarch holds up for the other leaders he studies.
The outline of his life pretty much follows the important events of the Persian Wars:
- Marathon – 490 BC
- Political Height
- eponymous archon
- ostracism (etymology!)
- Salamis – 480 BC
- Plataea Disaster – 479 BC
- Aftermath
- From defense to offense
- Rise of the Delian League
I also link the important people to their places:
- Miltiades is general at Marathon
- Themistocles is the mastermind behind Salamis
- Pausanias leads at Plataea
Translation
The most modern translation available, while still being in the public domain.
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