304

Eupolis

(Hdt. 8.79.1; [Arist.] Ath. 22.7; Plu. Arist. 7.2; for ostraka bearing his name, see
Lang 1990. 35-40 (#21-88); Brenne 2002. 49, 81-3),193 he was recalled in 481/0
BCE on the eve of the Persian invasion of the Greek mainland along with the
other exiles (Hdt. 8.79.1; D. 26.6; [Arist.] Ath. 22.8; Plu. Arist. 8.1; Them. 11.1)
and served as the Athenian commander at Salamis (Hdt. 8.95; Plu. Arist. 9.1-3)
and then at Plataia (Hdt. 9.28.6; Plu. Arist. 11.1). [Arist.] Ath. 23.3 refers to him
and his political arch-rival Themistocles (PA 6669; PAA 502610) as προστάτοη
τού δήμου in the early 470s BCE and says that Aristides’ role was primarily
political rather than military. Inter alia, Aristides seems to have been responsi-
ble along with Themistocles for the reconstruction of the city’s walls after the
Persians withdrew ([Arist.] Ath. 23.4) and for the initial imposition of tribute
on the individual states that made up the Delian League (Th. 5.18.5; [And.]
4.11; D. 23.209; Aeschin. 3.258; [Arist.] Ath. 23.5; see Rosivach 2011 for the
connections apparently drawn between this act and the provision of financial
support for individual Athenians via state pay of all sorts). He died in the
early 460s BCE; the claims that he had to be buried at public expense because
he left behind too little money to cover the cost (D. 23.209; Ael. VH 11.9), sc.
because he had stolen nothing when he had charge of Athens’ finances, and
that the city was further forced to provide a suitable dowry for his daughters
(Aeschin. 3.258), likely represent later embroideries on his story designed to
underline his reputation for personal probity. For Aristides’ life and family,
see in general Davies 1971. 48-52; Rhodes 1981. 280-1; and cf. fr. *105 n. (on
his reputation for unquestionable justice and propriety).
Pericles son of Xanthippus of the deme Cholargus (PA 11811; PAA 772645)
was the dominant political figure in Athens from the late 440s BCE until his
death in 429 BCE. See frr. 110 with n. (on his son Pericles II); 267 n. (on his
relationship with Aspasia of Miletus). For the image of Pericles in comedy-
generally hostile before this, and perhaps in Demoi as well (see above)—see
in general Schwarze 1971; Banfi 2003. 2-43, esp. 9-43 (on the presentation of
him in comedy).
Date Demoi must date to between 417 BCE (the year after the Battle of
Mantineia, referenced at fr. 99.30-2) and Eupolis’ death, which on the basis
of test. 1 (n.) is generally associated with the Battle of Cynosema in 411 BCE
(although see below). Even without access to P.Cair. 43227, Meineke 1839

193 Rhodes 1981. 280 observes in this connection: “Although it is a commonplace of
modern books that Themistocles’ shipbuilding proposal was the issue which led
to Aristides’ ostracism (first suggested by Beloch ...), it is stated in no ancient text
and should not be regarded as certain”.