A Comparison of Themistocles and Aristides- [Natalie P]

January 2009- Great Books I

Two politicians and military leaders featured in Plutarch's volume The Rise And Fall Of Athens stand out in particular as possessing radically different personalities: Themistocles and his rival Aristides. The former was born in Greece in the year 525- the latter a mere five years later.

Once a fellow general spoke to Themistocles about his brashness in war matters: "You know Themistocles, at the games they thrash anybody who starts before the signal." Themistocles quickly retorted, "Yes, but they do not crown anybody who gets left at the post."

This saying could well have been Themistocles' life motto, since he passionately plunged into whatever endeavor he took a liking to. Themistocles was a hot-headed fellow, a veritable thunderbolt from Athens whose domineering presence led the Athenians through a victorious battle with Persians near the island of Salamis, in 480 B.C. By encouraging the Athenians to purchase a fleet of ships, and courageously winning various sea battles, he became known as the brilliant mastermind behind the plan to make Athens the queen of the seas.  By contrast  Aristides was arguably a poor man who won the support of the more aristocratic men of the city. He commanded the Athenians during the battle of Platea in 479 B.C., assisting the Spartans to beat the Persians and their allies. He also became the overseer of taxes that were taken from the Greek allies.

Aristides was a better leader of the people than his rival Themistocles- because he possessed a few admirable character traits and virtues that Themistocles lacked. 

Firstly, Aristides did not care about petty things such as fame, money, or popularity, as Themistocles did. Secondly, unlike his rival, Aristides was proven to be honest. Lastly because Aristides was more patriotic than Themistocles. Aristides cared little for money. Plutarch writes that "he believed it his duty to give his services to his country at all times freely and without reward, not merely in terms of money, but also of reputation."
Aristides was not only disinterested in money- he shied away from praise and flattery, "never unduly elated by any honors that were paid him." Plutarch writes that "as a politician he cared nothing for personal popularity or reputation."
Whatever praise Aristides did receive was well-earned, for he demonstrated that the love of the people could be won by acting justly, refusing bribes, and living modestly, rather than pandering to the masses and currying favor. This truth is proved by the fact that after he died, the Athenians buried him at the public expense, and provided for his impoverished mother and sister.    

While evidently not as bad as the Greek general Alcibiades, a wicked and foolish fellow who
appears rather buffoonish in the revealing light of history, Themistocles seems to have led a wild life as a young man. While he admirably stated he would rather his daughter marry a worthy man without money, than an unworthy one with plenty of riches, Themistocles apparently "never missed an opportunity to make money." He loved to spend his wealth on silly things like fancy tents, posh furniture, and showy dinner parties- and liked to rival fellow Greeks in who could host the most ostentatious gatherings.  He was also excessively fond of flattery, praise, and popularity, and whenever he could he basked in the laudation of his supporters. This folly likely took his mind off of more important matters concerning state and war, and was a character flaw that was apparently never mended. Plutarch remarks that Aristides nature was "founded upon a steadfast character, which was intent on justice and incapable of any falsehood, vulgarity, or trickery even in jest."
An example of this truth can be seen when Aristides nobly uncovered the Machiavellian embezzlement practiced by other Athenian politicians. Among the accused men was Themistocles, who consequently became angry, and encouraged the people to prosecute Aristides for "malversation in the presentation of his accounts."
Plutarch later shows Aristides' honesty when he writes that when Aristides was appointed to oversee the taxation of various Greek states under the authority of Athens, he "drew up the list of assesments...with scrupulous integrity and justice."

Since Themistocles was numbered as one of the guilty men in the first example, he can hardly be called more honest than Aristides.Aristides was also more patriotic than Themistocles. Although Themistocles had become the venerated hero of Athens, and seemed devoted to her well-being and safety, he only encouraged his fellow Athenians to fight for her when they supported his leadership. When the Athenians were about to try him on the seemingly false claim that he was a traitor, Themistocles fled to Persia and agreed to assist Artaxerxes in fighting his fellow Greeks. Though Themistocles could possibly be excused for this abandonment  since he was forced to leave his country and possibly had no other place of refuge, Aristides demonstrated a more noble love of his homeland even when ostracized by the Athenians. Plutarch says he "constantly encouraged and incited the Greeks to defend their freedom," even when they had abandoned his good leadership. Aristides obviously cared more about the safety of Athens than his own personal gain. Themistocles was only patriotic when supported by the people, but Aristides was a constant, loyal Athenian.   Admittedly, Aristides does not seem to have possessed the brilliant military prowess that Themistocles so finely displayed. This does not mean that Aristides, like the Greek general Nicias, was something of a pessimistic military disaster. Aristides also showed wise maneuvers in battle: however, in Plutarch's account of his life, he appears to lack the sly tricks and schemes that made Themistocles so successful. An example of Themistocles' military adeptness is the clever trick he played on the Persian king, Xerxes. Trying to corral his own army, who was about to desert him, Themistocles sent a message to the king pretending that he had switched sides. His messenger informed Xerxes that "The Greeks are trying to slip away; [Themistocles] urges the king not to let them escape but to attack them and destroy their naval power."
Thanks to this smart move by Themistocles, the enemy king prevented Themistocles' army from deserting him, thus forcing the Greeks to unite. This action brought the Greeks victory, and undoubtedly heightened Themistocles' fame. This was not the last trick the famous Athenian general played on the Persian king, and throughout Plutarch's account of his life we  Themistocles' brilliant generalship can be seen.

Ultimately, however, a truly good leader is one who sets a good moral example for his followers. Thus Themistocles, though a talented military leader, could not be considered a better leader of the people than Aristides.  Ultimately Aristides proved himself to be a better leader then Themistocle by exhibiting humility, honesty, and unflagging patriotism, character traits that Themistocles clearly lacked. Plato himself, as Plutarch writes, "gives his opinion that of all the men who enjoyed great names and reputations at Athens, Aristides is the only one who deserves our praise." Though not the only man who possessed virtues in Athens, Aristides' good leadership stood out in a time when corruption raged rampant and decent men were scarce. The virtuous example that Aristides set in his lifetime will continue to speak through the timeless writing of Plutarch.