even after his eminence was declared, and partly it was be-
lieved from his apprehension or the catastrophe of ostracism
which ever threatened an Athenian statesman, to work in asso-
ciation with others and hold himself in reserve for special
occasions. Political management had now become more than
ever a task of delicacy and danger also. The Athenian
demus had assumed a self-consciousness and a self-will which
made it a necessity for one who hoped to rise to political
power to reckon with it as a personal entity of special
character, having its own passions, and aims that were ever
acquiring, more positive and resolute definition. Still more
urgently than in the case of Solon did it now behove the
aspirant to legislative influence to consider what proportion
of the best he might venture to go for as possible; it was
well if he combined with administrative ability such true
political insight as to extend this proportion by the force
of his own character, and were spared the weak descent
into assentation, the lazy adoption of only so much of
the desirable as was easiest, or unprincipled furtherance of
whatever would carry most favour at the hour.

Cimon, on his part, seems to have trusted too much to the
power of popularity when opposed to a popular movement,
and to have been little disposed to pursue the example which
had been set by his master and colleague, Aristides, of con-
ceding a change which had become inevitable, and so at least
gaining an opportunity to qualify if not to control it. En-
couraged by his successes and personal favour, he stood firm
on his political lines, and prepared to defend a policy which
was the reverse of popular, and a political theory that the
consequences of his own proceedings were naturally tending
to discredit. At this very time he was engaged as a com-
mander in promoting a change of relations between Athens
and her allies which gradually impaired the cordial under-
standing with Sparta which he had most at heart, and at
the same time so stimulated the pride of the demus as to

-372-