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Age Of Pericles Essay

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“Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors ', but is an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few,” stated Pericles when describing the government that he had shaped. Pericles believed in involving all of the population in government decisions, leading to a time of prosperity. In the Age of Pericles, from 491 BCE to his death in 429 BCE, Athens thrived. During this period of time, Athens was the center of reform and advancement. Pericles became a skillful politician, respected military leader, acknowledged patriot, and almost incorruptible. His leadership, government …show more content…

Positions within each branch provided new opportunities to all citizens of Athens. The Assembly consisted of men that came to vote on subjects of government. They voted on war, foreign policies, laws, and ostracization of citizens. The group decision was decided by a simple majority vote. They could also serve in the Council of 500, men who came from the ten tribes of Athens and voted on what would be brought to the Assembly’s attention. They supervised government workers and were in charge of things like navy ships and army horses. They dealt with ambassadors and representatives from other city-states. The Council’s men were not elected to their position but chosen by lot. This made it so not only the rich could be included in politics, but the poor as well. The last branch was the popular courts. They were chosen daily by lot, with a total of five-hundred jurors. These men had almost unlimited power. Since there were no police in Athens, the court ruled on cases and delivered verdicts and sentences with majority rule. These positions were paid and could be obtained by any citizen of Athens. Pericles also added many political ranks. These ranks usually were high seats and had powers over the army and foreign

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Intro Pericles meaning ‘Surrounded by Glory’, was an influential member and a credit to the society that he lived in during the classical period within ancient Athens. Pericles affected his society in a number of ways, politically, socially and economically. Pericles’ actions and motives were also shaped by the society that he lived in as Athens at the time of Pericles was a place of “aggressive, self-assertive competition” where “Greeks made a clear distinction between friends and enemies”. Pericles’ impact on his society can be seen through works and moments such as the pantheon and the democratic reforms of Athens.. Paragraph 1 (How did the individual's actions shape their society?)

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Pericles argues that Athens has become a model for others, and articulates what it is to be a good citizen. This can be seen when he says, “although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality; trusting less in system and policy than to the native spirit of our citizens; while in education, where our rivals from their very cradles by a painful discipline seek after manliness, at Athens we live exactly as we please, and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger.” (Thucydides, 2.39) It proves that Ancient Athens’ valued greatness and worked in order to achieve the excellence of the state, by focusing on rebuilding themselves back up after the Persian war. Pericles played a big role in this because he showed his ambitions to rebuild Athens, which lead to the thriving of other subjects such as literature, philosophy, science, art, and religion.

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