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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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