He saw the epistates was scowling in their direction and walked a little further away. No speeches were allowed after the vote was called. If he forced the man to act, the Scythians would be sent over. As they walked a dozen paces together, Pericles looked at him in confusion, without understanding.

‘What?’

‘The fleet was bought by Athenian silver, Pericles. It was rowed and crewed and fought for by Athenians. Themistocles played his part, certainly, giving of his best in service to the city. So did your father and Cimon, to exhaustion. They gave all they had, as did the rowers and the hoplites on deck. But they were not saving the people. The people saved themselves! Understand that and you might realise why so many resent him. Themistocles will not let them be proud of anything they did. How many times has he told them they owe their freedom to him? I swear, that man would wear down a stone with his pride. Well, this is the result!’

‘Numbers do not make justice,’ Pericles said firmly.

Aristides stood very still.

‘No? What else is there? Should we give three votes to rich men? To those who have led others in war?’

‘Perhaps they should!’ Pericles said, though he flushed, embarrassed by his own temper.

Aristides spoke with absolute calm, teasing out his points. Pericles wanted to roar at him. All the while, a line of Athenians was forming to bring their little pieces of pottery up and toss them in, voting on a man’s life.

‘If we did that,’ Aristides replied, ‘how long would it be before our society was remade for war? Like Sparta, perhaps! If only strategoi could vote, we would see an endless war, killing all our young, just to create those men of power. Or is it the rich who should lead us? Your father was not of great wealth before he married your mother, as I heard it. Does wealth grant wisdom, then? Was he a better man after that marriage than before? Perhaps. Some men admit to that.’

He chuckled at his own wit, but Pericles looked stonily at him, unbending. Aristides saw the young man longed for something. It was there in his eyes. He sighed.