Aristides

This argument of Panaetius should be more closely examined as to its validity; but to banishment in ostracism every one was liable who was superior to the common run of men in reputation, or lineage, or eloquence. And so it was that Damon, the teacher of Pericles, was ostracized because he was thought to be rather extraordinary in his wisdom.[*](Plut. Per. 4.2)

Furthermore, Idomeneus says that Aristides obtained the office of archon, not by lot, but by the election of the Athenians.[*]( From 508 B.C. to 487 B.C. the archons were elected by the Assembly; after 487, they were once more chosen by lot.) And if he was made archon after the battle of Plataea, as Demetrius himself has written, it is certainly very credible that in view of such a reputation and such successes as he there won, he should be deemed worthy, for his valor, of an office which men who drew lots for it obtained for their wealth.