nst the barbarians, of ten
thousand spearmen, one thousand horse, and a hundred sail of ships;
but the Plateans to be exempt, and sacred to the service of the gods,
offering sacrifice for the welfare of Greece. These things being
ratified, the Plateans undertook the performance of annual sacrifice to
such as were slain and buried in that place; which they still perform
in the following manner. On the sixteenth day of Maemacterion they
make their procession, which, beginning by break of day, is led by a
trumpeter sounding for onset; then follow chariots loaded with myrrh and
garlands; and then a black bull; then come the young men of free birth
carrying libations of wine and milk in large two-handed vessels, and
jars of oil and precious ointments, none of servile condition being
permitted to have any hand in this ministration, because the men died in
defense of freedom; after all comes the chief magistrate of Plataea (for
whom it is unlawful at other times for him either to touch iron, or wear
any other colored garment but white), at that time appareled in a purple
robe; and taking a water-pot out of the city record-office, he proceeds,
bearing a sword in his hand, through the middle of the town to the
sepulchres. Then drawing water out of a spring, he washes and anoints
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 defense of Greece, to the banquet and the
libations of blood. After this, mixing a bowl of wine, and pouring out
for himself, he says, "I drink to those who lost their lives for the
liberty of Greece." These solemnities the Plataeans observe to this day.

Theophrastus tells us that Aristides was, in his own private affairs,
and those of his own fellow-citizens, rigorously just, but that in
public matters he acted often in accordance with his country's policy,
which demanded, sometimes, not a little injustice. It is reported of him
that he said in a debate, upon the motion of the Samians for removing
the treasure from Delos to Athens, contrary to the league, that the
thing indeed was not just, but was expedient.

In fine, having established the dominion of his city over so many
people, he himself remained indigent; and always delighted as much in
the glory of being poor, as in that of his trophies; as is evident from
the following story. Callias, the torch-bearer was related to him: and
wa