![Pericles](photos/Pericles.painting.jpg)
Greatest
Athenian statesman under whom ancient Greek culture flourished,
deeply influencing Roman and modern civilization. He built Acropolis
from 495 - 429 BC.
The
success attributed to Pericles' democracy ironically came from slavery.
Though citizens worked for a living, they left the laborious jobs
to the slaves. Generally, slaves seemed to have accepted a larger
sense of freedom than other surrounding areas. Although there were
many slaves and slave owners, Pericles attempted to constitute a feeling
of self-worth into every man that lived in the city-state through
bonds of friendships with them. Therefore, democracy under Periclean
Athens was one of encouraging its fellow citizens (79-80).
From 451-431
BCE, allies gave tribute to Athens, more than ought to have been given,
for Pericles to erect such resplendent structures as the Parthenon
and the Acropolis so that the allies might feel that they helped Athens
for a worthy cause. |