Letters From An Enthusiast: Virtue in Action: Aristides and the Illiterate Man

A certain incident in the 1990's serves as a perfect example of politics today. No, I'm not talking about politicians having elicit affairs with random workers; instead, I am talking about the trend of politicians to do whatever it takes to remain in power. Instead of politics and government being a tool intended to serve the people, it has become a tool intended to serve the politician. If this requires giving up truth, integrity, honesty, and justice, then so be it. The power of government seems to have a corrupting effect, whether you are Adolf Hitler seeking absolute rule or Ted Kennedy seeking eternal Senatorship. George Washington noted the dangers of government when he stated, "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." It is for this very reason that being in a position of power requires the utmost degree of virtue.

The Persian Wars thrust Athens into a very prominent position after the battle of Marathon, making it a rival to Sparta as one of the great Greek city-states. Aristides was an Archon, or leader, of Athens during the Persian wars. He was elected by the people to lead them through this difficult time.

It is stated of Aristides that:

"In all the vicissitudes of public affairs, the constancy he showed was admirable, not being elated with honours, and demeaning himself tranquilly and sedately in adversity; holding the opinion that he ought to offer himself to the service of his country without mercenary views and irrespectively of any reward, not only of riches, but even of glory itself." (Plutarch)

For this reason he was known as "a most determined champion for justice". His fame and power did not come unattested. Themistocles was the rival of Aristides, a rivalry that began in their childhood. Themistocles was equally loved by the people, especially because of his brilliant victory at Salamis. Thus Aristides found himself in a most chaotic time.

There was a practice in Athens called Ostracism. This practice allowed the Athenians to banish, by means of voting, any citizen they deemed a hazard to their city-state. The practice is described as follows:

"In January of each year, the assembly took a vote on ostracism. If at the designated assembly meeting there were at least 6,000 ballots cast, whichever citizen received a simple majority of the votes was exiled for ten years, under which he could not return to [Athens] under penalty of death . The citizen lost the right to participate in politics by virtue of his absence, but his property was not confiscated, and he could appoint a manager to deal with his affairs and forward any income." (a correct description from Wikipedia).

The Athenians would ostracize any person they considered a threat to Athenian democracy. Slander from Aristides' arch-rival Themistocles led the Athenian citizens into believing that Aristides was for dismantling the democracy in favor of an aristocracy. Thus the people put Aristides up for ostracism.

Because he was Archon, it was Aristides job to oversee the Ostracism and tally up the votes. Plutarch states that:

"As therefore, they were writing the names on the sherds, it is reported that an illiterate clownish fellow, giving Aristides his sherd, supposing him a common citizen, begged him to write Aristides upon it; and he being surprised and asking if Aristides had ever done him any injury, 'None at all' said he, 'neither know I the man; but I am tired of hearing him everywhere called the Just.' Aristides, hearing this, is said to have made no reply, but returned the sherd with his own name inscribed."

When the votes were tallied, Aristides held the majority of votes. He gathered up some of his belongings and complacently left Athens. He gave up his land and power for the good of the State (only to be recalled later on).

What is amazing about this action is the justice and honesty that Aristides displayed. He could have written any other name to save himself from a 10 year banishment and loss of all power. Instead, Aristides remained true to what was just and wrote his own name. In essence, he aided in his own banishment; he helped in dissolving his own power. It was men like Aristides that Washington sought to emulate when he stated, "I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country." What a shame that our modern politicians don't exhibit such virtue.

-Jason Roberts (Crossposted to the Egosphere)