In the speech Pericles relates the special qualities of the Athenians, redefining many traditional Greek virtues in a radical new light. The idea that the Athenians are able to put aside their petty wants and strive for the greater good of the city is a central theme of the speech.
What did Pericles say about Athens?
Pericles praises Athens so that people will keep fighting ; he praises the sacrifices of the dead so that others will imitate them.
How does Pericles describe the Athenian political system?
Pericles describes Athenian democracy as a system of government where men advance on merit rather than on class or wealth. ... Pericles glorifies the “equal justice to all” under the law that all men of Athens share and glorifies their superiority over their peer poleis.
How did Pericles impact the Athenian government?
He introduced the practice of paying citizens to serve on juries , which allowed poor men to leave work and participate in the justice system. This expanded citizen participation in politics. Pericles also served as commander-in-chief of the Athenian army during the First Peloponnesian War.
What can Pericles speech tell us about ancient Greece and its understanding of democracy?
It talks about democracy and Athenian patriotism. It shares a great deal about life in Athens and events in Greek history. In his speech, Pericles states that the citizens of Athens must continue to support the war . ... They controlled Athens for about 10 years, and then gave Athens back its independence.
Who was Pericles and why did he give this speech?
Pericles was widely seen as the leader of Athens. He gave this speech during a funeral for Athenian soldiers who died in the first year of the brutal Peloponnesian War against Sparta , Athens’s chief rival. The Athenian historian Thucydides included the speech in his book the History of the Peloponnesian War.
Why does Pericles praise Athenian democracy?
He praised Athens for its attributes that stood out amongst their neighbours such as its democracy when he elaborates that trust is justly placed on the citizens rather than relying only on the system and the policy of the city. Where citizens boast a freedom that differs from their enemies’ the Lacedaemonians.
Why do you think Pericles reminded Athenians during the first year of war of the importance in fighting for Athenian democracy?
w-Hill Companies . Pericles would remind Athenians, in the first year of the war, why it was important to defend democracy . Thus choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they . . . ... So died these men as became Athenians.
Was Pericles a good leader?
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.
What type of government was Pericles describing?
The type of government that Pericles was describing was a democracy . In his funeral oration he stated that “A men may serve his country no matter how low his position on the social scale” (Document 3). In Athens, every free citizen had an equal opportunity to advance and to serve their country.
What is Pericles definition of democracy quizlet?
Terms in this set (5)
How does Pericles describe Athenian democracy? Democracy favors the majority of the people, not just a select few . It allows equal justice despite social class, and also extends freedom to ordinary lives.
Why is Pericles important?
Why is Pericles important? Pericles was an Athenian statesman . Under his leadership Athenian democracy and the Athenian empire flourished, making Athens the political and cultural focus of Greece between the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian wars.
Which feature of government does Pericles refer to in this excerpt from his funeral speech?
Which feature of government does Pericles refer to in the excerpt from his Funeral Oration Speech? A direct democracy .
How did Pericles help Athens?
Pericles sponsored buildings, arts, and education in Athens. It was during this era that the city developed the reputation for being the intellectual center of the ancient world. Under Pericles, Athens developed its Acropolis, the elevated citadel that held the most important buildings, temples, and markets.
How did Pericles improve the Athenian empire?
Pericles strengthened democracy in Athens by paying public officials. Pericles expanded the empire by building a strong naval fleet . Pericles rebuilt and beautified Athens.
What in Pericles estimation are the benefits of democracy?
According to Pericles’ estimation, there are many benefits of democracy. Pericles funeral speech shows the power and value of Athens compared to its opponents . This correlates with the idea that everyone living under a democratic government has an equal chance. This is beneficial to the people of Athens.
What did Pericles write?
Pericles himself was a master orator. His speeches and elegies (as recorded and possibly interpreted by Thucydides) celebrate the greatness of a democratic Athens at its peak. The most famous among them is his “Funeral Oration ,” a speech given after the first year of the Peloponnesian War to commemorate the war dead.
What can we learn from Pericles?
7. Accept the risks for others . Accept the risk ; act boldly— and trust in myself. Accept the risk; committing to hope the uncertainty of final success, know it is fit to act boldly and trust in myself.
Why was Pericles successful?
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. He rebuilt many temples on the acropolis that were destroyed by the Persians.
When did Pericles rule Athens?
Ancient Greek statesman Pericles, leader of Athens from 460–429 B.C. , organized the construction of the Parthenon and developed a democracy based on majority rule.
What did Plutarch think of Pericles?
The causes of the Peloponnesian War have been much debated, but many ancient historians lay the blame on Pericles and Athens. Plutarch seems to believe that Pericles and the Athenians incited the war, scrambling to implement their belligerent tactics “with a sort of arrogance and a love of strife” .
What does Pericles mean in world history?
Pericles (l. 495–429 BCE) was a prominent Greek statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens. ... Pericles’ name means “surrounded by glory ” and he would live up to his name through his efforts to make Athens the greatest of the Greek city-states.
Who is Pericles quizlet?
After the Persian Wars, the leading figure in Athenian politics was Pericles. He guided Athens for 30 years, from 461, to 429 B.C., when he was first elected, until he died. He helped Athens dominate the Delian League. He treated other city-states like subjects, demanding strict obedience and loyalty, and steady taxes.
Why is the government during the Age of Pericles considered to be a direct democracy?
Why is the government during the Age of Pericles referred to as a “direct” democracy? Citizens ruled directly; they did not elect representatives .
Who was Pericles why did he give his speech quizlet?
Pericles was widely seen has the leader of athens. He gave his speech at a funeral for the soldiers who died . political system? He was there so we know it’s right because he was around at this time also the weakness is that it is one person’s view.
What did democracy really mean in Athens quizlet?
Democracy – Where all citizens are required to vote and it is a government by the people for the people , however in Athens there was a limited democracy since women could not hold office or vote since they could not be citizens, and foreigners as well as slaves could not become citizens and slaves had no rights.
