Eulogy Of Pericles Research Paper

In his Eulogy delivered before the Athenians in 431 BCE during the Great Peloponnesian war, Pericles states, “We alone do good to our neighbors not upon a calculation of interest, but in the confidence of freedom and in a frank and fearless spirit.” In this quote, Pericles is communicating the idea that Athenians perform good deeds and help other polies not to benefit from it but for the sake of democracy and chivalry. The Eulogy of Pericles is accurate to a minimal extent because, while on the one hand the Athenians offered protection to their allies, on the other hand they took advantage of them and attacked mercilessly. The idea of chivalry stated in the Eulogy of Pericles should be considered an accurate reflection of Ancient Athens because the Delian league was created in order to

The Delian League was formed in 478-477 BCE for the Greek city states to fight the Persians as a unit. “the Delian League was dominated by the Athenians from the beginning. Its main headquarters was the island of Delos, sacred to the Ionian Greeks, but its chief officials, including the treasurers and commanders of the fleet, were Athenians. Athens also provided most of the league’s three hundred ships. While the larger states in the league, such as Lesbos, Samos, and Chios, contributed ships, the smaller communities made payments in money” (Spielvogel,43). As seen by the generosity of the Athenians through their contribution of 300 ships, the evidence proves the argument that the Eulogy of Pericles should be considered accurate because Athenians contributed in order to protect not only themselves but also other Greek poleis. This evidence is important because this contribution and the formation of this league leads the Greeks to victory against the Persians. Also it highlights the significant