Pericles Golden Age

What qualities of Athenian life does Pericles mention? How do these contrast with those that Archidamus points out for Sparta? The qualities of the Athenian life that Pericles mentions are that they are far from practicing a jealous surveillance over each other because they do not feel like they should be angry with there neighbors for doing what they like, but all there private relations does not make them lawless as citizens. He also say’s that they provide plenty of means for there mind to refresh itself from the business, that they celebrate games and sacrifices all the year round. On the other hand Sparta is war-like, because they have self control and they honor bravery. They are also educated with the laws and with a self-control to

Pericles's speech first gave praise to the ancestors, for which they are the people who built the city from the ground up and fought for democracy. He speaks of the ancestors with great honor and valor and that it was them who gave birth to Athens. He perceives Athens as a city with virtue, modesty, and modernization. It is a city who doesn't isolate itself from other governing states. Pericles announce that they aren't afraid to show their culture to the world and any foreigners may come and learn or observe from them. He suggests Athens is a country that welcomes foreigners and they

Pericles spends most of the speech praising Athens. Pericles’ emphasis on democracy is very clear. He began his speech addressing the significance of the ancestors of Athens. Pointing out their sacrifices for their city and which directly correlates to the fairness and freedoms of the current Athenian democracy. Pericles’ spoke about separation of class of people is not tolerated and if anyone can serve the state they are not judged by their livelihood. He also advocates this position by returning briefly, at the end of the speech, to the fallen soldiers and their families, rather than merely promising glory to those who lose what is most their own (their lives) in defense of their own, Pericles presents glory itself as that

First, Greek and American democracy has almost the same amount of nationalism and patriotism saw in the people. For instance, the Athenian individuals respected their energy and presence exceptionally. "Pericles says in regard to his policy: Remember that the motivation behind why Athens has the best name in all the world is on the grounds that she has never offered into affliction. However, has spent more life and work in fighting than some other states. Like this

Pericles was born in 495 B.C. E in Cholargos north of Athens. Pericles was an influential orator, leader and general during Athens golden age between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars. Pericles popularized arts and literature and was the main reason Athens holds the reputation of being the educational and cultural center of the ancient Greek world. During Pericles rule, Athens developed its Acropolis, the elevated citadel that held the most important buildings and temples. These building where so architecturally

Pericles (C. 495-429 BC) was a very influential politician and general in Athens. He is said to have brought about a very important time in Athenian history known as ‘The Golden Age of Athens’ where he brought about or placed focus on certain things like art, which gave Athens the reputation as the cultural and educational centre of Ancient Greece, architecture, where he created a project to beautify the city and provide work for Athenians with most of its products like the Parthenon still surviving and giving us an idea of the glory of Athens. He also made valuable contributions to drama, the bringing about of democracy and the establishment of the Greek empire.

A reading of Thucydides’, Pericles’ Funeral Oration and The Melian Dialogue uncovers both contrasting and comparable viewpoints on Athenian politics, power, aims of war, and empire. Thucydides presents two differing characteristics of Athens, one as the civilizer in Pericles’ funeral oration and the other as an tyrant in the Melian dialogue. In the funeral oration delivered by Pericles during the first year of the war, the Athenian leader emphasizes the idealized personal image of the Athenians in regard to their constitution and good character. Pericles goes on to praise the Athenian democratic institution of Athens that contributes to their cities greatness; in Pericles’s own words, “The Athenian administration favors the many instead of few… they afford equal justice to all of their differences” (112, 2.37). This quote emphasizes the good character of the Athens’ to coax and encourage the Athenians to preserve and better their great empire into the future. On the other hand, in the Melian dialogue, this notion of justice and equality is irrelevant; one, because Athens compared to Melos, is the stronger of the two and thus, is more powerful. Further, Athens, will continue to acquire absolute power and build its empire by conquering Melos and whomever else stands in its way. Through Pericles’ funeral oration and the Melian dialogue, the following conclusions/themes will demonstrate both the changing and somewhat stable nature of Athenian policy with regards to empire,

“Because of the greatness of our city the fruits of the whole earth flow in upon us; so that we enjoy the goods of other countries as freely as our own.” First it can clearly be noted that Pericles is talking on behalf of the city-state of Athens, rather than on behalf of himself. This is demonstrated by his use of “ us”, “our” and “we” signifying the democracy of Athens as a whole. Secondly, Pericles continues to demonstrate a great deal of pride. He is acknowledging the success and excellence of Athens and uses a metaphor to describe the result of Athens’ greatness when he says “the fruits of the whole earth flow in upon us”. He goes on to say that “…. so that we enjoy the goods of other countries as freely as our own.” This is important, because Pericles is using this statement to argue that there is no need to change the style of government Athens has. Furthermore he is using logos and logical reasoning as if to say: Athens is doing great, and we are reaping the benefits of other countries as a result of the greatness of Athens. Why should Athens change the system of government when it favors everyone and is being carried out successfully?

Pericles articulates a strong sense of pride for the Athenian self-image through praising their ancestors, fathers, and the fallen. Pericles stated, “I shall begin with our ancestors: it is both just and proper that they should have the honor of the first mention on and occasion like the present. They dwelt in the country without break in the succession from generation to generation, and handed it down free to the present time by their valor.” The Athenian’s ancestors allowed for the future greatness and the ultimate formation of the government through their great and honorable patriotism. Their ancestors passed down the empire to the fathers of Pericles and other citizens, who only further added greatness to the inherited empire and began forming national habits. However, this greatness was earned through military achievements allowing for the possessions enjoyed by the current citizens, who gained the city from their fathers. The current Athenians, both dead and alive, further progressed the Athenian control and greatness as their successors already did. Pericles stated, “There are few parts of our dominions that have not been augmented by those of us here, who are still more or less in the vigor of life; while the mother country has been furnished by us with everything that can enable her to

The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life” (Pericles’ Funeral Oration, Thucydides). In other words, it doesn’t matter what your social rank is, if you are a citizen of Athens, you have a right (and duty) to serve in the government. This is known as a direct democracy today, and it is where we, citizens of the United States, took inspiration for our current system of government. Pericles is right to praise the city-state in this regard, as its legacy still has effect on the world millenniums after its time.

Pericles was great as a leader, and he used all his skills as a logical man in order to occupy Athenians who weren’t involved in the army and who were unskilled. Because he did not want them to just get benefited from national income for doing nothing, he proposed to them different plans for public works and buildings where all kinds of industries could be involved. Since he didn’t have money of his own he was spending public money for building, and that is what he was accused of by Thucydides and other members of his party. Using the knowledge of psychology of people, Pericles knew how to persuade people in the Assembly. He didn’t have his own money, but still made the Athenians believe as though he did; and his reply to the accusation was as follows:

Furthermore, in the mind of Pericles, any citizen who did not take some part in the realm of politics was not just missing the core of Athenian democracy, but was essentially useless. This is so because Athenian democracy stood on the idea that people would take an active role in the government that represented them in order to protect their freedoms, and anyone who shunned that responsibility was a detriment to society. The arguments that Pericles puts forth are persuasive in the sense that theoretically in order for a democracy to survive as intended (which is self-representation and majority rule) then people must take politics sincerely.

Once the conflict between Greece and Persia had ceased in 479 BCE, Athens found themselves following a new leader, an Athenian statesman, Pericles, who had a fervent interest in advancing Athens. Under Pericles’ leadership, Athens experienced a period of time in the 5th century where they were regarded as the cultural, intellectual and commercial heart of the Hellenic world. Their hegemony and superiority contributed to the creation of a Golden Age, a valid title, which is currently embraced by historians. During this period of time, Athens flourished with culture, art and literature, had an impact in the scientific and medical world, and had a substantial amount of influence and control over the rest of Greece.

　　The second reason for his argument is that Pericles wants to show people that the political system in Athens is not only equal to everyone but also rewarding if you do something good for your country. Through this,

This speech is called “Pericles’ Funeral Oration” by Thucydides, and it was delivered by Pericles, an Athenian politician, at a funeral for the war dead after the first year of the Peloponnesian War. In this speech, Pericles basically boasts to the family and friends of these deceased warriors about how amazing Athens is and how important the warriors were to them. He begins by saying that their “constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states” to set them apart from any and every other place that may be deemed as competition to Athens. One thing that he appears to be very proud of is Athens’ way of handling their democracy. It was not a common idea that every person was able to participate in the city’s politics, so Pericles makes sure to say that it “favours the many instead of the few” when speaking of Athens’ democracy. Their democracy is described to be an incredible system in which each and every citizen of Athens gets a chance to participate regardless of their social ranking or any other thing that may affect their relevance to society. Pericles says that “if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his conditions” rather that be low social standing