The Influence Of Athens In The Funeral Oration Of Pericles

Following the two decades after the Persian Wars, the city of Athens grew to embody political and economic prowess in the western world. Under the rule of Pericles, Athenian society enjoyed an era of democracy and relative peace. As it is sometimes referred to as the “Age of Pericles”, this classical era was a watershed moment in Athenian and Greek history as a whole as its influence would go on to reverberate throughout many subsequent societies and eras. In a speech written by Thucydides for Pericles to present, “The Funeral oration of Pericles” offers key insights into the Greek classical era and Athens role in such. Through analyzing the textbook activity “The Funeral oration of Pericles” this paper will draw upon excerpts from Pericles’

Moreover this vision for Athens is explicitly detailed in “The Funeral oration of Pericles”. For example this quote provides context as to what Pericles attributed to Athens greatness: “Let me say that our government does not copy the institutions of our neighbors…Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people”. Pericles believed that Athens was great because its government was a democracy. In the context of this oration, the idealistically framed democracy afforded the Athenians a social freedom that distinguished them. “And, just as our political life is free and open, so is our day-to-day life in our relations with each other. We do not get into a state with our next-door neighbor if he enjoys himself in his own way, nor do we give him the kind of black looks which, though they do no real harm, still do hurt people's feelings.” The relationship here being that the people are free because so too is their government, which they participate freely in. To

Leading up to and during the Peloponnesian Wars, Sparta and Athens would become intertwined in each others military and political endeavors, as their histories would forever be altered. Yet, even before then the differences between Athens and Sparta were noticeable to the point that these stark contrasts were briefly cited in Pericles’ funeral oration. “Then there is a great difference between us and our opponents, in our attitude towards military security. Here are some examples: Our city is open to the world, and we have no periodical deportations in order to prevent people observing or finding out secrets which might be of military advantage to the enemy.” In comparison to Athens, Sparta, militarily and politically advocated isolationism. Where as Athens was open to the world, and thus does not rely on confidentiality when dealing with foreigners. This Spartan isolationism is perpetuated further by their eugenics approach to their military which is also touched upon by Pericles: “The Spartans, from their earliest boyhood, are submitted to the most laborious training in courage; we pass our lives without all these restrictions, and yet are just as ready to face the same dangers as they are.” In this context the difference between Sparta and Athens is that Athenians lead freer lives as they are not forced to into military duty at young ages.