Full namePericles Born495 BC Influential AreasStatesman, Orator Known ForGolden Age of Athens, Delian League

Pericles was a significant historical figure who led Athens during its Golden Age. He introduced democratic reforms, commissioned famous architectural structures, and was an influential orator.

Vision

Pericles is often credited with having a vision of a unified Greek world. He believed in the superiority of Athenian culture and strived to make Athens the cultural and political leader of Greece. He also had a vision of Athens as a city of splendor, a beacon of civilization that would radiate its influence across the Mediterranean. He believed in the democratic principles and championed the cause of the common citizen, encouraging their participation in political life.

Biography

Pericles was born in Athens around 495 B.C., the son of Xanthippus, a statesman and general who was instrumental in the Persian War victory, and Agariste, a niece of the influential statesman Cleisthenes. He came from one of Athens most distinguished and influential families. From early on, he showed a keen interest in politics. Trained by the best tutors of his time, including the philosopher Anaxagoras and the sophist Protagoras, he acquired a well-rounded education that shaped his future as a statesman and orator. In 461 B.C., Pericles became the leader of the democratic faction in Athens, and he held this position of power and influence for more than thirty years, a period that came to be known as the Age of Pericles. During his tenure, he introduced a number of reforms that strengthened democracy, including the payment of jurors, which allowed even the poorest citizens to serve. He also commissioned the construction of some of Athens most famous structures, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, and the Odeon. His influence over Athenian society was so great that Thucydides, an Athenian historian, described him as the first citizen of Athens. However, Pericles leadership was not without controversy. His decision to move the Delian League treasury from Delos to Athens and use these funds to beautify the city was met with opposition from other Greek city-states. His policy of excluding non-Athenians from the League also led to the Peloponnesian War. Despite these challenges, Pericles was renowned for his oratory skills, and his Funeral Oration, delivered after the first year of the war, is considered one of the greatest speeches of all time. Pericles died of the plague in 429 B.C., leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence Western political thought to this day.

Awards and Recognition

As a historical figure, Pericles has not received any official awards or recognition. However, his contributions to Athenian society, his vision for a unified Greece, his oratory skills, and his leadership during the Golden Age of Athens have earned him a place in history as one of the most influential people in the ancient world. His name is often synonymous with democracy and the high culture of classical Athens. The structures that were built under his leadership, particularly the Parthenon, are considered some of the greatest architectural achievements of the ancient world.

References

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Vision

Biography

Awards and Recognition

References

Pericles was a significant historical figure who led Athens during its Golden Age. He introduced democratic reforms, commissioned famous architectural structures, and was an influential orator.

City of Residence

Athens

Known For

Golden Age of Athens, Delian League

Born

495 BC

Location

Statesman, Orator

Education

Studied music, philosophy

Personal Details

Son of Xanthippus and Agariste