308 ARISTIDES.

drawing water out of a spring, he washes and anointa the monuments, and sacrificing the bull upon a pile of wood, and making supplication to Jupiter and Mercury of the earth, invites those valiant men who perished in the defence of Greece, to the banquet and the libations of blood. After this, mixing a bowl of wine, and poiu:- ing out for himself, he saj's, " I drink to those who lost their lives for the liberty of Greece." These solemnities the Platajans observe to this day. Aristides perceived that the Athenians, after their re- turn into the city, were eager for a democracy ; and deem- ing the people to deserve consideration on account of their valiant behavior, as also that it was a matter of dif- ficulty, they being well armed, powerful, and full of spirit with their victories, to oppose them by force, he brought forward a decree, that every one might share in the gov- ernment, and the archons be chosen out of the whole body of the Athenian.s. And on Themistocles telling the people in assembly that he had some advice for them, which could not be given in public, but was most impor- tant for the advantage and security of the city, they ap- pointed Aristides alone to hear and consider it with him. And on his acquainting Aristides that his intent was to set fire to the arsenal of the Greeks, for by that means should the Athenians become supreme masters of all Greece, Aristides, returning to the assembly, told them, that nothing was more advantageous than what Themis- tocles designed, and nothing more unjust. The Athe- nians, hearing this, gave Themistocles order to desist; such was the love of justice felt by the people, and such the credit and confidence they reposed in Aristides. Being sent in joint commission with Cimon to the war, he took notice that Pausanias and the other Spartan cap- tains made themselves oflFensive by imperiousness and harshness to the confederates ; and by being himself gen-