Obstinate
Thinks highly of himself
Cares about his people
Plot: Aristides assumes the throne of Sparta, a city-state that had depended on the Trojan treasures gained by Menelaus a century before as a means of economic support. Now the money has dried up due to his father’s extravagant lifestyle, plunging the city into poverty, crime, and famine. Aristides sets out to repair the financial ruin set upon the city by his father and begins to use his family funds to do so. He sees his plans as flawless, and himself as the sole savior of the city. As he continues to draw money from the royal wealth and eventually the wealth of his rich generals. Angered by the decrease of their wealth and power, the generals demand he halt his spending, but his hubris and obstinance gets the better of him. He continues to spend to …show more content…
If it is war you so desire then war there shall be, but I will not abandon my people! And if you will take arms against me, then by the gods you and each of your lieutenants shall pay for your crimes in blood! Begone from my halls before I tear you limb from limb!
Alc. exits. The Civil War started. Three years had passed, at the very last battle Aristides defeated him with a sword pointing to Mesaulius.
Mesaulius: Is this what you want? Three years ago, at the same place, you declared the war on us and now you look at our city, families fall apart, people are homeless, plantation fields are polluted, is this the result you want? You must be pleased now. We all have noticed you beforehand not lavishly spend to rebuild, and you, the biggest traitor, deliberately waste money and fire the city.
Aristides: You dare to criticize me! You poor person. I pity you, but my sword won't bear you.
Aristides stabbed his sword into Mesaulius's neck and dropped it on the floor. He walked to the city wall, shocked by the scene that buildings and bridge are on fire, bodies and blood paved the