Aristides vs Pang Tong

Aristides commanded the Athenian contingent at the Battle of Plataea, the final land battle of the second Persian invasion of Greece. The Greek victory decisively ended Persian ambitions in Greece and secured Greek independence.

Aristides was instrumental in founding the Delian League, an alliance of Greek city-states against Persia. He was appointed to assess the initial contributions (tribute) from member states, earning a reputation for fairness and justice.

Aristides helped establish the administrative and financial structure of the Delian League. He set the initial tribute quotas for member states, which were considered fair and equitable, contributing to the league's early stability and growth.

Aristides supported the ostracism of Themistocles, his political rival. Themistocles was exiled from Athens for ten years, reducing the influence of the populist faction and strengthening the aristocratic faction led by Aristides and Cimon.

Pang Tong left Zhou Yu's service and joined Liu Bei as a county magistrate. Liu Bei initially undervalued him, but after an interview with Lu Su and Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei promoted him to a key advisory role.

Pang Tong presented three strategies to Liu Bei for taking Yi Province from Liu Zhang: a direct attack, a feigned retreat to lure Liu Zhang's forces, or a slow consolidation. Liu Bei chose the middle strategy, leading to the eventual conquest of Yi.

During the siege of Luo County in Yi Province, Pang Tong was struck by an arrow and died. His death was a significant loss for Liu Bei, who mourned him deeply and later appointed his father to a post.