- For the Shakespeare play, see Pericles, Prince of Tyre.
Pericles (ca. 495 BC-429 BC, Greek : Περικλῆς) was an influential and important leader of Athens during the Athenian Golden Age (specifically, between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars), from the Alcmaeonidae family. The period from 461 BC to 429 BC is sometimes known as "The Age of Pericles" (Though this terminology can extend to all the way to 379 BC). He was responsible for a great many building projects which include most of the surviving structures on the Acropolis (including the Parthenon). Of particular importance, he fostered the power of democracy, which was a very radical idea.
Pericles started his political career at an early age. At first, however, he restrained his ambitions because he was fearful that due to his social standing, he would be considered to be a tyrant or even dangerous for Greece. To get around this problem, he promoted the interests of the demos -- the most numerous class of middle and low income citizens -- so as to avoid their suspicion.
Plutarch reports that Pericles studied under the musicologist Damon (who taught him politics), Zeno the Eleatic (who taught him argumentation), and Anaxagoras (who taught him nobility of purpose and character). Largely due to the teachings of Anaxagoras, Pericles was very careful of the way in which he spoke, and what he chose to say.
Cimon was a political rival of Pericles for many years. Cimon was a wealthy man who gained favor with the people by spending his own money on feeding, clothing and caring for those Athenians who needed assistance. To counter Cimon, Pericles spent public money in building projects. Pericles even was eventually able to have Cimon ostracized and banished from the city for a period of time. However, before his period of exile was up, Cimon returned to lead Athenians in a battle against Sparta. Unfortunately, some friends of Pericles had Cimon sent away and the battle went badly for the Athenians. At that point, Pericles was able to look past his own ambitions, and recalled Cimon so that Athens might be victorious.
Pericles then set about strengthening Athens and improving the infrastructure. However, during his forty-year predominance, he was cautious and did not take on opponents without first weighing his options and measuring his potential losses. Unfortunately, his infatuation with a woman named Aspasia would slightly change the way in which he initiated conflicts. According to Plutarch, Pericles was persuaded by her to mount an expedition against one of her enemies.
Pericles is credited with reforming the Athenian democracy to make it more democratic.
Pericles began to fall out of favor in Athens while still being able to maintain power. The Spartans attacked and he ordered that Athens should prepare for a siege. Unfortunately, during the siege, a plague spread through Athens and its allies, but not to its enemies, killing many, including Pericles himself and most of his family. However, after Pericles lost his last Athenian son, the Athenians allowed a change in the law that made Pericles' non-Athenian son a citizen and legitimate heir.
Ancient Sources on Pericles
Plutarch, the ancient biographer who lived about 500 years after Pericles, wrote a detailed Life of Pericles. Pericles is also featured in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, which includes accounts of several of Pericles' speeches, including Pericles' Funeral Oration.
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