Podcast
Questions and Answers
What years mark the beginning and end of the Golden Age of Athenian culture?
What years mark the beginning and end of the Golden Age of Athenian culture?
What was one of Pericles' significant contributions to Athenian society?
What was one of Pericles' significant contributions to Athenian society?
Which structure is NOT mentioned as being part of the projects funded by Pericles?
Which structure is NOT mentioned as being part of the projects funded by Pericles?
What plan did Pericles adopt during the Spartan invasion?
What plan did Pericles adopt during the Spartan invasion?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of the consequences of the plague that struck Athens?
What was one of the consequences of the plague that struck Athens?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Pericles' leadership come to an end?
How did Pericles' leadership come to an end?
Signup and view all the answers
Which famous philosopher was born shortly after Pericles' death?
Which famous philosopher was born shortly after Pericles' death?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect of Pericles' speeches is highlighted in the content?
What aspect of Pericles' speeches is highlighted in the content?
Signup and view all the answers
What was one of Pericles' significant contributions to Athens during its golden age?
What was one of Pericles' significant contributions to Athens during its golden age?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did Pericles play in Athenian society?
What role did Pericles play in Athenian society?
Signup and view all the answers
In what year did Pericles first pay for the production of a play, indicating his future support for the arts?
In what year did Pericles first pay for the production of a play, indicating his future support for the arts?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a consequence of Pericles' policies during his leadership?
What was a consequence of Pericles' policies during his leadership?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Pericles' familial background?
What was Pericles' familial background?
Signup and view all the answers
During Pericles' leadership, what was the primary focus of the Delian League?
During Pericles' leadership, what was the primary focus of the Delian League?
Signup and view all the answers
Which significant military campaign did Pericles lead in 454 B.C.?
Which significant military campaign did Pericles lead in 454 B.C.?
Signup and view all the answers
What nickname was given to Pericles due to his physical appearance?
What nickname was given to Pericles due to his physical appearance?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the primary focus of Spartan training for children?
What was the primary focus of Spartan training for children?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the term used for the formal training that Spartan children underwent?
What was the term used for the formal training that Spartan children underwent?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a significant reason for the Spartan focus on military readiness?
What was a significant reason for the Spartan focus on military readiness?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae for the Spartans?
What was the outcome of the Battle of Thermopylae for the Spartans?
Signup and view all the answers
Who led the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae?
Who led the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the relationship between the Spartans and the helots?
What was the relationship between the Spartans and the helots?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the stone set up at Thermopylae?
What was the significance of the stone set up at Thermopylae?
Signup and view all the answers
Which city did the Spartans fight alongside during the Persian Wars?
Which city did the Spartans fight alongside during the Persian Wars?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Pericles and the Athenian Golden Age
- Ancient Greece, 2,500 years ago, consisted of city-states, with Athens being one of the most important
- Athens experienced a golden age (449-431 BCE) under Pericles' leadership
- Pericles, a prominent general, orator, lawmaker, and arts supporter, was considered Athens' "first citizen"
- Pericles transformed Athens into an empire and constructed the Parthenon
- Pericles' policies and strategies contributed to the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta
- The Spartans were inhabitants of a powerful Greek city-state
Pericles' Early Life and Rise to Power
- Pericles was born into a prominent Athenian family, son of Xanthippus, a hero of the Persian War (499-449 BCE)
- Pericles' mother was from a powerful cultural family, exposing him to artists and philosophers
- His early act of funding a play in 472 BCE demonstrated his wealth, artistic taste, and political acumen
- He expressed support for Themistocles over his future rival, Cimon
- Images of Pericles depict him in a general's helmet, as his symbol and disguise for his large head
- He was nicknamed "Schinocephalos" ("sea onion-head") due to his large head
- Pericles worked to arrest Cimon (463-461 BCE), emerging as a leader of Athens' democratic party.
- Led a successful military campaign in Corinth in 454 BCE, and also established Athenian colonies
- Elected strategos (one of Athens' leading generals) in 443 BCE and held the position until his death
The Delian League and Athenian Empire
- Following a Persian attack in 479 BCE, Athens and allies formed the Delian League, a defense alliance against Persia
- Athenian leaders transferred the league's funds from Delos to Athens after a failed 454 BCE Persian attack
- Athenian measures were imposed on the league, eventually becoming an Athenian empire under Pericles
- The "golden age" of Athenian culture (449-431 BCE) took place during peace between Persian and Peloponnesian Wars
- Pericles used Delian League funds to build cultural sites on the Acropolis (Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheum, Parthenon) — magnificent white marble structures, showcasing the era's artistry and engineering
Pericles' Influence on Athenian Society and Culture
- Pericles' policies, like funding theater admission and paying for jurors and public service, increased access and participation in Athenian society
- He fostered close relationships with prominent intellects of his time such as Sophokles (playwright) and Phidias (sculptor)
- Pericles' partner, Aspasia, mentored Socrates
- Pericles, himself, was a master speaker, celebrated the greatness of Athenian democracy at its peak
The Peloponnesian War and Pericles' Death
- Growing Athenian power led to concerns from Sparta and its allies, and demands on Athenian actions
- In 431 BCE, conflict with Corinth prompted Sparta to invade a nearby area
- Pericles pursued a strategy to defend Athens (evacuating the countryside), relying on its strong navy, during the early years of the war
- A devastating plague struck Athens, killing many, including Pericles' two sons, and briefly removed him from power
- In 429 BCE, Pericles died of the plague
- Thucydides describes his death as devastating for Athens; his absence led to a decline in leadership and strategy
- Following his death, the Athenian Golden Age slowly deteriorated
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the life and impact of Pericles during Athens' golden age. Discover how his leadership transformed the city-state and led to significant cultural and political developments. Learn about his early life, rise to power, and the events that defined the Peloponnesian War.
