180 HISTORICAL TALES.

changed to violent indignation, in which his recent
followers took part. He was accused of deceiving
the people, and of committing a crime against the
state worthy of death. The dangerous condition of
his wound prevented him from saying a word in his
own defence. In truth, there was no defence to
make; the utmost his friends could do was to recall
his service at Marathon. No Athenian tribunal
could adjudge to death, however great the offence,
the conqueror of Lemnos and victor at Marathon.
But neither could forgiveness be adjudged, and Mil-
tiades was fined fifty talents, perhaps to repay the
city the expense of fitting out the fleet.

This fine he did not live to pay. His wounded
thigh mortified and he died, leaving his son Cimon
to pay the penalty incurred through his ambition
and personal grudge. Some writers say that he was
put in prison and died there, but this is not probable,
considering his disabled state.

Miltiades had belonged to the old order of things,
being a born aristocrat, and for a time a despot.
Themistocles and Aristides were children of the new
state, democrats born, and reared to the new order
of things. They were not the equals of Miltiades
in birth, both being born of parents of no distinc-
tion. But, aside from this similarity, they differed
essentially, alike in character and in their life records;
Themistocles being aspiring and ambitious, Aris-
tides, his political opponent, quiet and patriotic; the
one considering most largely his own advancement,
the other devoting his whole life to the good of his
native city.