Cimon Improves Athens

After Themistocles was banished, Aristides became leader and head of the allies. He refused salary and gifts, saying he needed nothing. When he died, he was so poor there was no money for his funeral—Athens gave him public burial. Athens rose above Sparta in importance. But after Aristides died, Athens began using allied money to beautify the city instead of strengthening the army. Cimon, son of Miltiades, won victories in Asia Minor and gave his share of spoil to improve Athens. He enlarged the Academy gardens where philosophers taught, and brought Theseus's bones back to be buried in the Theseum.