http://agathe.gr/democracy/practice_of_ostracism.html
Ostracism Soon after their victory over the Persians at the battle of Marathon in 490 B.C., the Athenians began the practice of ostracism, a form of election designed to curb the power of any rising tyrant ... frequently in the 480's and less ... (Aristeides 7, translated by Ian ... in the 480's B.C. Max.