What does Aristotle mean when he says "...he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors"?

Question

What does Aristotle mean when he says "...he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors"?

Answer 1

when your idea is embraced by others you are really blessed

Answer 2

That the first person to found a political organization, the polis (or what is normally called the city-state in some translations), was a great bringer of happiness to the human race. According to Aristotle we are political beings by nature and the state aids in our perfection of our being. Government has a teleological reason for its existence -- namely letting it be possible for a citizen to lead a good life. The state exists to shape the character of men towards the fulfillment of the good life. We would lead less fully human lives if we live in a time without a state therefore the greatest benfactor to humanity is he who first founded a state.