A gifted statesman, orator, and military commander, was the central figure in Athena life during the middle of the fifth century.
Pericles’ father was Xanthippus and his mother was Agariste. Agariste was the niece of Cleisthesis and member of the Alcmaeonid family who had been active in Athenian politics since the late seventh century. Pericles became involved in politics in 461 BC, when he helped organize a vote in the city’s democratic assembly to strip the nobles of their remaining power.
After the vote, Pericles emerged as one of the most powerful figures in the city. His major opponent, Cimon (510-450 BC), was ostracized later that year clearing the way for Pericles to rule Athens unopposed for most of the next three decades.
Under Pericles Athenian citizens began to be paid for their political participation, even for simply coming to ten Assembly or low courts. It was necessitated by growing business activities, so compensation made up for losses of working time.
Pericles had a public reputation for honesty but politically he was regarded as a radical. He was staunch opponent of Sparta. His hostility toward Sparta brought the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC).
Pericles died in 429 BC, in the midst of the war with Sparta. His death and the eventual Athenian defeat in the warm ended the city’s golden age.
Who is Pericles?
