Similarities and Differences of Lincoln's and Thucydides Addresses

Although the Pericles’ Funeral Oration and the Gettysburg Address are hundreds of years apart, many have taken note of the similarities between these two memoirs for fallen soldiers of war. A powerful funeral oration from Athenian culture inspired Abraham Lincoln’s address to the Union during the Civil War. Both the Athenians and the Union were in the midst of fighting another power at the time. The value placed on liberty and democracy amongst these two groups was strong. Although citizens were treated differently and the concept of which people were deserving of rights differed, the Gettysburg Address and Pericles’ Funeral Oration similarly ensured their military conquests and sacrifices would be historically significant as it brings great honor and pride to their respective states. Their deaths were not in vain and would further push the ideas of these two respective societies.

Lincoln chooses to make certain religious allusions in his speech, in an attempt to unify the divided country around a common central concept: religion. Lincoln makes such references to religion to confirm others beliefs, and assure them that God stands with them, even in such a difficult time. To show sympathy towards African Americans, and to unify them with the others in the country, Lincoln states, “Both read the same bible, and both pray to the same God.”

Before anything else, it is very important to analyze the intentions behind his speeches. This will give insight into what exactly Lincoln’s vision of America was and how he strives to obtain that. The Gettysburg Address speaks mostly of equality of all men and what that means during The Civil War. On the other hand, The Second Inaugural Address addresses his thoughts after America has been through over four years of fighting in The Civil War. These thoughts include the conflicting views about war on either side and the mention of slavery as well. With all this being said, both speeches seem to hold the same intention. Lincoln mentions slavery and equality in both excerpts and his thought seem not

In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln provided one of the most memorable speeches in history that affected the way American citizens saw the war. The March 4th speech in 1865 gave more people hope for the country and allowed them to trust that God will help them through the Civil War. The people trusted Lincoln to help them through the situation because he had already served his first term as president, and the people knew he was trustworthy, so they re-elected him. Lincoln professionally used rhetorical appeals such as ethos pathos and logos to press his audience to agree, as well as tone to show his audience how importantly they should be taking the subject. Abraham’s Second Inaugural Address was an introduction to his plan for the United States for the next years he would be president, and much of it was a discussion about the Civil War and how they would bring it to an end.

After the Battle of Gettysburg, which involved the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War and was according to many the war’s turning point, president Lincoln delivered a meaningful speech known as the Gettysburg Address. In his speech, president Lincoln wisely uses ethos, pathos and logos.

Pericles Funeral Orientation was recorded by Thucydides during the Peloponnesian War. The primary purpose of the speech revolved around honoring those who had died in battle. The second purpose of the speech was to present Athens as an environment of courage and security. Also, the speech fixated on the importance and uniqueness of the Athenian government its self (democracy) which created arrogance that eventually destroyed their city-state. Pericles main point was “these men, who could not bear the thought of losing her, nobly fought and nobly died——these men were worthy of their city——their memory abides and grows” (Thucydides 3). Overall, the funeral orientation was used to honor, give confidence, and create courage and community in

In Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” he uses a combination of forensic, ceremonial, and political oratory within his speech. According to Aristotle, forensic oratory is concerned with the past, with reference to things that have already occurred. Ceremonial oratory is concerned with the present, and make guesses as to what the future holds. Political oratory is concerned with the future, and advises, or advises against something. Lincoln utilizes all three of these methods in his speech, and it really connects with the

Pericles’ profound rhetorical skills were displayed within his Funeral Oration honoring Athenian soldiers who demonstrated extraordinary valor. Although the subject of his speech was in honor of the fallen soldiers who died gloriously defending Athens, he primarily praised Athens and everything it stood for. Within his speech, Pericles focuses on acting for the greater good of the city, which included sacrificing oneself much like the modeled sacrifice the dead had displayed through their valor. Through praising Athens and the fallen soldiers Pericles idealized the dead, showing their modeled behavior as honorable and glorious, which further appealed the sacrifice of dying for Athens. Pericles idealized motives continuously praised Athens: the dead, ancestors, and the city. Theses motives were intended to explain why Athenians should love their city and willingly sacrifice to ensure continued happiness and freedom.

In Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, He talks about the Civil War America was facing at the time. In his speech, his exaggerative diction, allusions to the Bible, and appeals to emotion helped strengthen and portray his point of view.

In “Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address,” President Abraham Lincoln communicates to the citizens of America and members of Congress to share his vision for the nation’s future after the Civil War. People were searching for a leader to reassure them from the mass destruction and separation they were experiencing. Lincoln won his audience over by establishing his credibility, certifying a commonplace, and providing strong diction throughout his speech.

In his Second Inaugural Address, President Abraham Lincoln shared a vision with the American people in the last month of the Civil War. He mentions the irony of this war and the effects it brings to the nation. Lincoln's use of rhetorical strategies opens the eyes of readers and reveals the reality of the war and its foolishness. He shares his desire and vision of unity with the American people in this address. The condition of the Unites States of America was a bloody state in where brethren. Lincoln uses this very same fact by revealing that "Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God." Lincoln also emphasizes the strange fact that "any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in writing their bread for the sweat of other men's

Pericles then ventured into the heart of the speech. "Thus choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they fled from dishonor" (31). He discussed the matter of the fallen soldiers, and why they were worthy of their city. Pericles said that the soldiers were men who died for Athens, who gave up everything for the city, and for that, he called them heroes. "Heroes have the whole earth for their tomb; and in lands far from their own" (31). Pericles was justifying their death, and their killings, to his citizens. He called the soldiers courageous, and how they fought for their forefather's dream of freedom. The soldiers were great citizens that left no room for cowardice within them, for it hindered a man to act upon his duty. That is why Pericles told Athens to take the soldiers as their model for a citizen, therefore bringing honor to the dead.

Pericles is accurate when he states that he does not concur with the customs of people who have praised in the institution of his speech delivered in the ceremony of the dead men who fought in war. According to him other people who have spoken upon the lives of these individuals believed that, “it seemed to them a mark of honour to our soldiers who have fallen in war that a speech should be made over them” (Thucydides 144). Pericles is effective when believing that ‘these men have shown themselves valiant in action and it is enough for their glories to be proclaimed in action.’ Furthermore, this validates the idea that these men have been praised to a different degree, beyond an ordinary man. Instead of being honored to speak for the dead Pericles

The soldier’s lives should be remembered but not their deaths. The speech reminds Athenians what their ancestors have died for and mournful citizens should be proud they died defending the freedom of their country Athens. The oration also reminds Athenians of their greatness because of the fact that Athenian warriors have more to fight for. Athenian warriors are fighting not only for their country but also for their family, friends and other communities in the city. These warriors have more to lose because they are fighting for everyone in the city. During this time possessions were incredibly significant. Wars were usually about gaining land and having as much land as possible. Soldiers were not afraid of dying during combat and chose the most “honorable” course of action by fighting boldly and courageously. In this way, Athens was able to accomplish an enormous army and standard of living, without the harsh everyday training found in city-states.

Pericles was known for being a powerful speaker and in the end, the Athenians took his advice and war soon followed. A year after war broke out, Pericles was once again invited to speak, this time at the customary public funeral for those who had fallen in combat. What follows is arguably the best eulogy in history. For the families of the fallen soldiers he states that they did not truly die, for “famous men have the whole earth as their memorial…not in any visible form but in people’s hearts, [where] their memory abides and grows.” Of Athens he says, “Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now.” Pericles is able to remain optimistic of Athens’ victory and