The so-called golden age of Athenian culture flourished under the leadership of Pericles (495-429 B.C.),
a brilliant general, orator, patron of the arts and politician
—”the first citizen” of democratic Athens, according to the historian Thucydides.
What kind of leader was Pericles?
The so-called golden age of Athenian culture flourished under the leadership of Pericles (495-429 B.C.),
a brilliant general, orator, patron of the arts and politician
—”the first citizen” of democratic Athens, according to the historian Thucydides.
What made Pericles a great leader?
Strong Oratory Skills
The oratorical skills of Pericles made him an outstanding leader; he had the courage to articulate, the charisma to lead and the ability to convince and manipulate the population.
Was Pericles a good or bad leader?
In truth, Pericles was
probably a very well
-meaning man who only had what was best for Athens at heart, but had a few flaws that led him to push the war farther than he should have. … Pericles created democratic reforms so that poor citizens would not be barred from participation in the government.
Was Pericles a dictator?
While he was not a king or dictator in charge of Athens, Greece, Pericles was the
foremost statesman of Athens
from 461-429. Pericles was repeatedly elected to be one of the 10 strategoi (generals).
What killed Pericles?
One of the victims of
the plague
that swept Athens in 430 BC was Pericles himself. According to the historian Thucydides: ‘… The plague seized Pericles, not with sharp and violent fits, but with a dull lingering distemper, wasting the strength of his body and undermining his noble soul.
Did Pericles create democracy?
Pericles turned the Delian League into an Athenian empire and led his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian War. … Pericles also fostered Athenian democracy to such an extent that critics call him a populist.
What are 3 things that Pericles did to strengthen Athens?
Lesson at a Glance
During his time, he sponsored
social programs, the arts, and education
. He also led Athens into war with Sparta, rallying the spirits of his people during this time. Pericles was a patron of the arts and encouraged new architecture and building styles.
How was Pericles a bad leader?
A frequent criticism of Pericles among his contemporaries was that he
took a hard line against Sparta and pushed his city toward war not
due to any higher principle or strategic goal, but to deflect charges brought against his closest friends and political allies.
What made Pericles great?
Pericles is perhaps best remembered for a
building program centred on the Acropolis
which included the Parthenon and for a funeral oration he gave early in the Peloponnesian War, as recorded by Thucydides. In the speech he honoured the fallen and held up Athenian democracy as an example to the rest of Greece.
Why did Pericles plan fail?
Explanation: The citizens of Athens stayed within an overcrowded walled city. A plague broke out, and
because the people were walled in and so close together
, his plan failed.
Why did Pericles build the Acropolis?
Pericles is perhaps most famous for his great building projects. He
wanted to establish Athens as the leader of the Greek world
and wanted to build an acropolis that represented the city’s glory. … This magnificent structure was a temple to the goddess Athena. It was built between the years 447 BC and 438 BC.
Why did the Athenian general Alcibiades take refuge with the Spartans and advise them?
He took refuge in Phrygia in northwestern Asia Minor with the Persian governor, who
was induced by the Spartans to have him murdered
. … His advice, whether to Athens or Sparta, oligarchs or democrats, was dictated by selfish motives, and the Athenians could never trust him enough to take advantage of his talents.
How did Pericles strengthen democracy?
To strengthen democracy,
Pericles increased the number of public officials who were paid
. Earlier in Athens, most positions were unpaid. This made it hard for less wealthy people to hold government jobs. Now even the poorest citizen could serve if elected.
Why is it called Age of Pericles?
495–429 BCE) was a prominent Greek statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens. The period in which he led Athens, in fact, has been called the Age of Pericles
due to his influence, not only on his city’s fortunes
, but on the whole of Greek history during the 5th century BCE and even after his death.
What did Thucydides think of Pericles?
Thucydides fervently supported Pericles but was less enthusiastic about the institution of democracy. Under the hands of Pericles, Thucydides thought
democracy could be controlled, but without him, it could be dangerous
.
