Pericles Influence On Aspasia

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 would have been willing to negotiate had not the slow-moving but deliberate Spartans backed him into a corner with their ultimatum. The outbreak of the war occurred when the Spartans issued ultimatums to Athens, which the men of the Athenian

In his ambitions to conquer Sicily and then move on to Italy and the Peloponnesus, he also shows this thirst.12 The Athenians recognized Alcibiades's brilliance and ruthlessness so they elected Nicias as a general to "[temper] his rashness."13 Alcibiades resorted to violence to gain glory, Pericles, on the other hand, attempted to prolong peace and settle matters with diplomacy. He once tried to persuade the cities to send delegates to meet in Athens to discuss restorations of temples destroyed during the war with Persia, but nothing came of his plan because of Spartan opposition.14 He even went so far as to bribe the chief magistrates of Sparta to buy time to prepare for war, which he knew was inevitable.15

Homer states, “This was the ugliest man who came beneath Illion” and that he is hated by many of the Achaean soldiers. Rather than respecting his position in the ranks, he challenges Odysseus, who was attempting to save the army from self-imploding. Thersites’ delivery was poor; he chose the wrong time to agitate an already fragile situation and was in no position to be challenging the man holding the golden scepter (the ultimate sign of power within the army). Odysseus, in a very time sensitive situation, could not spear his time to respond Thersites’ qualms in a polite manner. To make matters worse, Thersites fills his speech with several personal attacks on Odysseus by shaming his fighting ability. Rather than viewing it as an expression of free speech, Thersites’ actions should be viewed not only as an attack on Odysseus, but also on every high-ranking officer in the Greek

On Perseus’ journey for Medusa’s head it was very much expected that he would fail and die, which was Polydectes goal. But in the end he prevailed and completed the mission, due to the fact that he had the luck and support of the Gods on his side. Throughout his voyage he was aided by the support of Hermes and Athena. This can be seen in Perseus’ use of Athena’s shield and Hermes’ sword that he used to attack Medusa. Also, without the help of Hermes, Perseus wouldn’t have been able to find the nymphs of the North, whose gifts (winged sandals, magic wallet, and an invisible cap) also aided him in the defeat of Medusa.

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,

In the Aftermath of the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta, Pericles, Athens’ general and statesmen, delivered a powerfully comforting eulogy to the polis of Athens, assuring the people that their city state is in good hands, and easing the pain of all the families and relatives of the deceased. He uses several rhetorical devices throughout his speech to gain a positive emotional appeal by his audience and makes assertions in the attempt to enhance and transform the perception of him by the audience.

In addition to his great political strategies, one of the main ways that Pericles gained the adornment of Athenians, and also the greatest criticism from his adversaries was through the building of several temples and public buildings. His enemies proposed in the Assembly that other Greeks should have been outraged that the funding

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:

1. The events of this column create the miscommunications and lost connections that eventually culminate to the neat and tidy happy ending Pericles seems to happen upon through divine prophecy and chance. Thaisa is believed to be dead, but the decision to throw her body overboard is what seals her fate of being lost completely, not only in the mortal sense, but in the physical sense. Immediately after the decision to throw Thaisa overboard, another decision is made by Pericles: “O, make for Tharsus!/ There will I visit Cleon, for the babe/ Cannot hold out to Tyrus. There I'll leave it/ at careful nursing” (3.1.77-80). This makes the sequence of events clear, and we have the idea that, perhaps, if Thaisa had been kept aboard the ship they would

To understand the motivation of Alcibiades, we must look to his upbringing and character to examine his sense of entitlement. Alcibiades was born into an aristocratic Athenian family so he would have been pro oligarchy; he was the son of Cleinias (Thuc 5.43) who was slain at the battle of Coroneia (Plut. Alcibiades 1). After the death of his father, Alcibiades was placed under the guardianship of Pericles (Plut. Alcibiades 1), who was leader of the state and the most influential man of his day (Thuc 1.127). The connection that Alcibiades shared with Pericles, enabled him to enjoy the company of influential figures throughout Athens, and consequently; they desired him. It was said, “many well-born men were swarming around Alcibiades and seeking his company” (Plut. Alcibiades 4), being held in such high regard by the elite would have boosted his sense of self-importance, gained him influence and bring about great personal fame (Thu. 6.16).

Aristotle said the best plays have both an anagnorisis and a peripeteia which occur at nearly the same time. Anagnorisis which means "discovery" and peripeteia which means "reversal of fortune" have been a successful duo through the years. A simple way to state this is that within a story there is a startling discovery, which brings a change from ignorance to knowledge. These theatrical elements can make what appears to be a simple plot into an intriguing and attention-grabbing story.

Aspasia of Miletus, born during the 5th century BC, was renown for her outspoken ways and for being the mistress of the statesman Pericles. The expectations of women throughout that century, such as staying at home and serving their spouse, were adhered to by many. However, she defied these expectations which thus resulted in gaining large controversy, yet respect from Athenian citizens. Aspasia's intellect resulted in a minority of Athenian citizens holding her in high esteem. It is said that "some Athenian men even brought their wives to her in hopes that they would gain some insight and intellect from her words." Whilst Aspasia was revered as one of the most influential women of Ancient Greece, especially during the 5th century BC, there were many women who were left ignored due to their supposed lack of influence. These include women such as Gorgo of Sparta; the mistress of the Spartan king named Leonidas, Sappho of Lesbos; a renown lyrical poet, Telesilla of Argos; a poet, and multiple others.