Preview

Athenian Democracy According To Pericles's Speech Analysis

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
192 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Athenian Democracy According To Pericles's Speech Analysis
According to Pericles, the key characteristics of Athenian democracy were integrity, admiration, and liberty. Pericles give a speech to pay homage to who have deceased in war. He started the speech by granting praise to his ancestors and articulates, “they should have the honor of the first mention on an occasion like the present” (Pericles Funeral Oration, P5). This shows integrity because without their ancestors the Athenian democracy would not have established. During his speech, Pericles commended those who died in wars and went on to say that they “became Athenians” meaning they died and fought for freedom and liberty (P12). Pericles not only just give respect to those who died in the wars, he also extended comfort for their loved ones

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    The “Athenian Golden Age” can best be explained as the peaceful time when Athens was under Pericles’ rule (about 495-429 B.C.). During this time, Athenian culture flourished. Art, socialism, and architecture was thriving. One example was when Pericles delved into the city-state’s funds to do things, such as create temples and buildings, such as the very famous Parthenon. It was said by the great historian Thucydides, that Pericles’ speeches “celebrate the greatness of a democratic Athens at its peak” (“Pericles”, n.d.).…

    • 201 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles, being the man of approved “wisdom and eminent reputation,” was chosen by the state to administer an appropriate eulogy. He begins his Oration by commending all those who contributed their lives to defending the Athenian Empire. Quickly after his appraisal, Pericles transitions into glorifying the democratic institutions in which Athens was founded upon. “And if our more remote ancestors deserve praise, much more do our own fathers, who added to their inheritance the empire which we now possess, and spared no to be able to leave their acquisitions to us of the present generation.” (2.36, PG. 112) Pericles continues by describing how democracy not only exhibits freedom in government, but also in ordinary life, which in turn allowed the public to pursue means of…

    • 791 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles became the leader of Athens at the end of the Peloponnesian War and was responsible for the rebuilding and reconstructing of this city. He became very powerful and well known through out the age of the 5th century, so powerful that this became known as the age of Pericles. He was the son of Xanthippus and Agariste. His father, Xanthippus was a military leader during the Peloponnesian Wars and was the victor at the Battle of Mycale. He would later ostracize himself in the spring of 484. Pericles came from a line of royalty which made it all the more easier for him to come to power. The helots revolt in Sparta and the current leader of Athens, Cimon lead troops to aid Sparta which the people…

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    He was such a profound influence on Athenian society that Thucydides, an admirer and contemporary historian, acclaimed him as "the first citizen of Athens". Pericles turned the Delian League into an Athenian empire and led his countrymen during the first two years of the Peloponnesian War. During the Peloponnesian War, Pericles led Athens, roughly from 461 to 429 BC. This period is sometimes known as the "Age of Pericles", which happened as early as the Persian Wars.…

    • 398 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles states that "Our constitution does not seek to copy the laws of our neighbors; we are an example to others, not imitators of them". During his time there was usually one ruler that had the power over life and death, the mass of people did not matter. In Athens this was far from the case. Athens created its own government, one that was for the people, and benefited the people. Pericles said with conviction, "As far as public life is concerned, we live as free men". The people of Athens had a government that supported them; they were all equal in the eyes of the government. The city of Athens stood by itself; it needed no others to help it. She left her gates open to all and did not concern herself with excluding foreigners. Her military stood alone. Athens never advanced into another territory with Allies; she did it alone. He also marvels in the fact that Athens does not live for the fear of war. He states that they live free, but are always ready if in danger. He even goes so far to say that his enemies are happy with a victory over a small part of the army. Pericles praises Athens for her form of government - democracy - because it is…

    • 2014 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles believed that Athens was a symbol of greatness which other states should follow. He behaved as if Athens was in command of the Delian League. Though Pericles served with nine other strategoi appointed each year from other tribes, none of the other generals had a similar influence and power over the ecclesia(the assembly) like Pericles. During this period(until his death in 429 BC), Pericles was elected 15 times by his tribe as the strategos. Pericles was remarkably popular because of his strong generalship and his prestige based on, as according to Plutarch, “not able to be bribed and with a strong sense of fairness and justice”(Life of…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Several philosophers and thinkers have graced Athens but none probably have described Athens as vividly as Pericles did with his funeral speech delivered in honor of the martyrs of the Peloponnesian War. This speech was given almost a year after the Peloponnesian War started and its purpose was to inspire both the citizens and the army of Athens. In his speech Pericles describes Athens as a flawless state when compared with its contemporaries. Pericles highlighted the achievements of Athens in almost every sphere ranging from its military prowess to its conduct of justice and equal opportunity to the most ordinary of its citizens regardless of his class or economic status. Pericles proclaims Athens as…

    • 1024 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles Influence

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In 470 BC Pericles entered politics. Pericles believed strongly in politics saying “just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you”. As a leader Pericles wanted people to understand that although you may not be interested in the work of your government there will always be a need for you knowledge and contribution. Once he had joined the assembly, he became a fellow politician which is where he began to become popular within the assembly. Many events following his vote onto the assembly meant that the old Athenian leader was exiled. Today the period of time between 460-429 is referred to as the ‘Age of Pericles’. Pericles also believed that Athens was an icon of Greek culture. He believed that Athenians should be the ones to lead the Greek government. Before, becoming a participant of the Athenian government was almost impossible. However, Pericles believed that all native Athenian men over the age of 18 had the right to participate in the government. He also made it possible for poor men who could not afford to leave their jobs,to participate should they choose to. This meant men of all social classes were now part of the government. Not only was serving in the government a privilege, but also a responsibility. Pericles believed in that very strongly. He always had the community's best interest at heart, showing that he was worthy as leader…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    This is due to the high regard the ancient Greeks held for their language. The regard for their language is demonstrated in a speech by Nicias, an Athenian general, to his troops before facing impending defeat, in which he acknowledged their allies as Athenians, not due to similarity in origin, but rather their sharing of language placing them at equal prestige (Thucydides, Book IV, chapter XXIII). One of the finest examples of the artistry of Thucydides’ craftsmanship of speeches, is the speech given by Pericles, an important Athenian politician, at a public funeral, after the first year of the war. This speech is among the most celebrated of the ancient Greeks, due to the inclusion of a passionate tribute to the fallen and glorification of Athens and the polis’ causes. Within the glorification of Athens, he emphasized the sophistication of Athens and their aptitude for art of the mind. The first reference is towards the beginning of the address with these words, “Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves.” These references continue throughout including, “Further, we provide plenty of means for the mind to refresh itself from business,” and “In short, I say that as a city we are the school of Hellas, while I doubt if the world can produce a man who, where he has only…

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Pericles was one of the best known statesmen that Greece ever had. He studied under the Sophist and master of Music Damon, and the philosopher Anaxagoras as well as Zenon of Elea. Pericles was a very patriotic man as well as dignified and upright, that was why he got so much recognition. Pericles was also friends with Sophocles, Herodotus, Phidias, Socrates and Protagoras, that being another reason on how he came to be known. Not only was Pericles a popular social light, he was also considered an inspirational and powerful speaker…

    • 457 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Athens War Research Paper

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Along with their personal traits, Athens had freedom. This freedom involved the individual more than the city and this made their imperialism possible. This freedom will create en energy in the city but will lead to problems and decline for Athens. Athens will have troubles with factions and the internal conflicts that come with. Pericles will be able to prolong the problems for Athens. He was able to do this by appealing to the passion and love for glory and the need for ultimate devotion. These more individualistic people will be able to connect with something other than themselves with this passion. The connection is there because it tends to be egoistic and leads to a more intense devotion and increased willingness to sacrifice. When this…

    • 1156 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to Pericles, the Athenian society is exceptional due to their society allowing free will yet, in spite of that, their people desire Athens to prosper above all else. In addition, due to the Athenian belief that the spirit and volition of their citizens is predominant over systematic order, the Athenian people fight on the behalf of their civilization because they choose to. Society allows the individual to pursue whatever they desire, yet the individual consciously decides to battle for the sake of their land. Moreover, the Athenians were able to reach these heights because they honored the diligence of their ancestors and continued the customs that were passed down onto them. This allotted the Athenians to elaborate on their ancestors'…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    As Thucydides shows, while he did support Pericles, he didn't necessarily support democracy. The only way that democracy in Athens was successful was under Pericles, and when he passed away, the true nature of democracy was revealed. His successors followed self-serving policies, quarreled among each other, lacked foresight and in general destroyed themselves by internal strife. The people as a whole were too easily influenced and were too interested in personal advancement rather than the good of the state. Thucydides seemed to believe that the best form of government was one which placed authority in the hands of a few wise leaders who were able to overcome personal desires to pursue policy that benefited the state rather than the individual. In other words, Thucydides was in favor of a change to the Spartan…

    • 2611 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Thucydides admired Pericles’ leadership ability and his ideas and concepts. One concept already explained is his idea of ‘protoandrarchy.’ Thucydides strongly supported the idea at the beginning. Along with his ideas, Thucydides also supported all the decisions Pericles had made, even if it wasn’t the best idea. For example, “as long as [Pericles] was at the head of the city in time of peace, he governed it with moderation and guarded it securely; and it was greatest under him. 3” That is how Thucydides felt, yet the Athenians were upset with Pericles because he was the main reason why Athens was at war rather than at peace. In Thucydides’ eyes, he shadows Pericles and strives to follow his path. Pericles is also a leader and an innovator for Thucydides and in his eyes, is the perfect leader. Thucydides continues to describe Pericles as the perfect human by stating, “the reason for Pericles' success was this: he was powerful because of his prestige and his intelligence, and also because he was known to be highly incorruptible. 4” Thucydides illustrates Pericles as a God, someone who is indestructible. He idolizes Pericles’ and supports his decisions. Thucydides truly admires Pericles and strives to be the shadow of…

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Greek Civilization Dbq

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Another important contribution of Ancient Greek to the Western Culture is democracy. To the Greeks, democracy meant “peoples rule”. Pericles Funeral Oration, given to the Athenians in about 430 BC was the greatest contribution to our today’s society. Pericles said “Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few: that is why it is called a democracy…” Pericles was describing a democracy where everyone had an equal opportunity to advance and serve his or her country. However, everyone was expected to partake in civic affairs regardless their social class or position (Doc. 4). This contributed enormously on the society because the democratic society is a direct democracy. But at the same time, people are able to impeach powerful heads. The Funeral Operation gives citizens the idea of keeping their government a democracy rather than a…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays