Pericles' Ideology of Democratic Society. Pericles begins by mentioning the struggles of the Athenian ancestors whom "after many a struggle transmitted to us their sons this great empire." . That the soldiers put aside their desires and wishes for the greater cause. Pericles. He wasnt wrong. What Is a Brief Summary of Pericles' Funeral Oration? - Reference.com Please be respectful of copyright. Pericles was born into the Athenian aristocracy. And in his last recorded speech in 430, although its intention was to persuade the Athenians to keep fighting, he said: For those who are prospering and who have a choice, going to war is folly (2.61.1). An understanding of that reality should give pause to any who may think that democracy is the natural polity of mankind and that its establishment and success are assured once despotic or reactionary rule has been removed. The world has been astounded to see thin shoots of democracy trying to break through the hard surface of oppression. The kind of man formed by such a constitution reflects its shortcomings: He lives from day to day indulging the appetite of the hour; and sometimes he is lapped in drink and strains of the flute; then he becomes a water-drinker and tries to get thin; then he takes a turn at gymnastics; sometimes idling and neglecting everything, then once more living the life of a philosopher; often he is busy with politics, and starts to his feet and says and does whatever comes into his head; and, if he is emulous of anyone who is a warrior, off he is in that direction, or men of business, once more in that. For the first time in history a Greek state could conduct its life and plan for the future in the expectation of a lasting peace. Gill, N.S. Croesus asked why, and this was Solons response: Tellus polis was prosperous, and he was the father of noble sons, and he saw children born to all of them, and they all grew up. At any rate, Pericles eventually succumbed to and died from this plague. [20] He praised Athens for its attributes that stood out amongst their neighbours such as its democracy when he elaborates that trust is justly placed on the citizens rather than relying only on the system and the policy of the city. Pericles' Funeral Oration - Thucydides' Version - ThoughtCo The Funeral Oration is significant because it differs from the usual form of Athenian funeral speeches. This newfound behavior may offer a clue to how these reptiles will respond to a warming planet. Pericles begins by praising the dead, as the other Athenian funeral orations do, by regard the ancestors of present-day Athenians (2.36.12.36.3), touching briefly on the acquisition of the empire. Part of the speech met the challenge posed by the heroic tradition that emphasized competition, excellence, or merit and the undying glory that rewarded it. They also complained of the lack of uniform good character in the citizens, who were unpredictably involved in various activities and masters of none, with negative consequences for their military ability and moral quality. In a democracy, citizens behave lawfully while doing what they like without fear of prying eyes. His life has neither law nor order; and this distracted existence he terms joy and bliss and freedom; and so he goes on (Republic 56lC). Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. The plague devastated Athens for many yearsThucydides reckoned it took fifteen years to recoverbut his account suggests that the damage to democracy lasted far longer. In these ways our city deserves to be admired (2.39). To honor the gods for the victory and to glorify Athens, Pericles proposed using the Delian Leagues treasury to mount an unprecedented building campaign. She was also niece to the father of Athenian democracy, Cleisthenes. With the linkage of Athens' greatness complete, Pericles moves to addressing his audience. He certainly played the chief role in transforming it from a limited democracy where the common people still deferred to their aristocratic betters to a fully confident popular government in which the mass of the people were fully sovereign in fact as well as theory. Solon responded, Tellus of Athens, a name neither Croesus nor anyone else outside of Athens had ever heard. Pericles Quotes - BrainyQuote An even greater substitution for the glories of war could be found in the exercise by each Athenian of his political duties. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is because it commands our deep respect." Gazing at the men and women gathered for this solemn moment, Pericles reminds them of the difficult times they face. Pericles's speech first gave praise to the ancestors, for which they are the people who built the city from the ground up and fought for democracy. By John G. Zumbrunnen. From time to time the helots would break out in revolt, threatening the very existence of Sparta. Omissions? Greek Democracy Vs Modern Democracy Essay - 373 Words | Cram Pericles delivered the oration not only to bury the dead but to praise democracy. He was seen as encouraging and enabling the participation of ordinary citizens in the democratic process, not only as electors but as active participants. Welcome as this prospect was, it nonetheless presented a problem. Internet History Sourcebooks Project: Ancient History Scientists and historians have tried to identify the disease responsible based on the descriptions of Thucydides, but no consensus exists. Pericles' funeral oration has exercised a permanent fascination on the political imagination of the West. . Gill, N.S. The Spartans faced this fundamental problem of the polis in its sharpest form. The rewards conferred by these aristocratic virtues are precisely those sought by the epic heroes: greatness, power, honor, fame. It was the custom at the time to honor the dead each year who had died defending their city-state, the city-state of Athens. [12] Pericles argues that the speaker of the oration has the impossible task of satisfying the associates of the dead, who would wish that their deeds be magnified, while everyone else might feel jealous and suspect exaggeration.[13]. Ad Choices. The Acropolis looms over tourists in Athens. 12. The Athenian democracy would encourage merit in its traditional form and reward it with victory, glory, and immortality. The willingness to perform military service for his homeland is the most fundamental and demanding duty of the citizen. But even in Herodotus tale such glory is for the rare individual who had both the ability and the opportunity to perform a great deed.
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