Pericles influence on Democracy

Pericles Website Article Blog Post

Introductory Paragraph

Pericles is a model for many modern-day politicians who should be looked at by those who want to participate in Democracy. Pericles was a developer of democracy because he did not accept gifts, did not accept dinner invitations, and did not participate in corruption. Pericles helped the foundation of Democracy because he created laws allowing poor Athenians to participate in Jury Duty, he promoted Athenian wealth, and because he was a strong supporter of Democracy. Pericles helped defend Athens because he helped lead the defeat of Samos, he helped lead Athens’ alliance, and finally because he developed Athens ’ world-renowned fleet. Pericles was born in 495 BCE. Pericles entered public life in 472 BCE. Pericles was in politics for over 30 years (460-429 BCE). Pericles died in 429 BCE. Pericles was a bastion and contributor to democracy because he was clean, he contributed to the creation of democracy, and finally because he helped lead the greatness of Athens through difficult wars.

Pericles Clean Ethics

Pericles was a role model politician and contributed to Democracy because he was not corrupt. Pericles did not take gifts from foreign powers. In Plutarch’s Lives, Part One, Plutarch writes, “Pericles was eminent in never taking gifts.”#_ftn1 This is a direct quote from a primary source proving that Plutarch did not take gifts, which is a positive trait that today’s politicians should consider if they wanted to be of the highest ideal. Pericles did not accept dinner invitations at other people’s houses. In Plutarch’s Lives, Part One, it is explicitly stated that Pericles did not accept dinner invitations. This shows the extreme depth of Pericles' character. Pericles did not participate in any corrupt activities. Plutarch writes, “No man had been given greater opportunity to enrich himself, having had presents offered him from so many kings and princes and allies, yet no man was even more free of corruption.”#_ftn2 This shows just how high Pericles ' character and esteem were in an age of vast corruption. Pericles was well known for not being corrupt, which showed his amazing character and contribution to democracy free of negative influence.

Pericles’ contribution to democracy

Pericles contributed to the foundation of Democracy because he allowed poor Athenians to participate in the jury system legally, because he increased Athenian wealth, and finally because he developed Athens’ fleet. Pericles contributed to the foundation of Democracy because he passed legal laws allowing poor Athenians to participate in the jury system.

Nigel writes, “They persuaded the Assembly to transfer most remaining powers from the Areopagus to the Assembly or Heliaea (jury court).”#_ftn3 This proves and shows that Pericles contributed to Democracy by allowing poor Athenians to participate in the jury system. Pericles contributed to the foundation of Democracy because he increased Athens’ wealth significantly.  Pericles defeated the revolting city-states Samos and Byzantium (they were part of the Delian alliance.#_ftn4 This allowed Athens to continue collecting silver (taxes) and warships (military tribute), which increased Athens’ wealth. Pericles contributed to Democracy because he developed Athens fleet. Pericles helped build and lead the Athenian fleet, which was written in David Sack’s Cyclopedia.#_ftn5

Analysis: This is important because Athens was a large trading city-state; Athens also mainly attacked and defended through its naval fleet.

Transition: Pericles was a key leader in Athens because he developed the conditions that led to the spread of Democracy.

Pericles contributed to Athens with his strong military skills.

Pericles contributed to the greatness of Athens through retaking Samos, helping lead the Delos Alliance, and finally because he built a world-dominating fleet. Pericles retook Samos, which was critical because it increased Athens’ military and economic power. David Sack writes, “defeat of Samos required a huge Athenian naval effort.”#_ftn6 This shows the scale of the effort needed to beat the revolting city of Samos and also because it threatened the security of Athens. Pericles led the Athenian alliance to the Delos Alliance. According to Nigel Rodgers, Pericles led the Athenian alliance through the Peloponnesian War.#_ftn7 Pericles led the Delos Alliance against revolts and through the Peloponnesian War. Pericles built a world-dominating warship fleet that dictated the Mediterranean’s trade, naval battles, and much of its power. In both David Sack’s and Nigel Rodgers writings, Pericles mentions that he is building a large naval fleet that was used to win wars, keep his empire, and protect its trade and trade. Pericles created a large naval fleet that was crucial in many of its wars. Pericles led a major resurgence of Athenian power and led Athens into the Peloponnesian War.

Conclusion

Pericles was a world-changing leader in many ways. He was innovative, left a large legacy, and had clean morals. Pericles was also one of the least corrupt politicians I have ever heard of.

Pericles led Athens into a golden age and then into major wars. Pericles contributed to democracy because he was not corrupt, because he developed democracy, and because he was an excellent politician and military leader. Pericles was a key leader because he led to the form of Government that is viewed as most humane and is most successful in the modern age. Pericles is a key role model and influence on modern-day politicians and should be someone who is looked up to.

Bibliography:

Rodgers, Nigel. Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History: The Illustrated Encyclopedia and Comprehensive History with 1000 Images. Lorenz Books, 2017.

Sacks, David. Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World. Revised ed. New York: Facts On File, 2005.

Plutarch. Plutarch’s Lives, Volume 1: The Dryden Translation. Translated by John Dryden. Edited by Arthur Hugh Clough. Introduction by James Atlas. New York: Modern Library, 2001.

#_ftnref1 Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives, Volume 1: The Dryden Translation, trans. John Dryden, ed. Arthur Hugh Clough, intro. James Atlas (New York: Modern Library, 2001), Pg. 258

#_ftnref2  Plutarch, Lives, Pg. 258

#_ftnref3 Nigel Rodgers, Ancient Greece: An Illustrated History: The Illustrated Encyclopedia and Comprehensive History with 1000 Images (Lorenz Books, 2017), pg. 96

#_ftnref4 David Sacks, Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, rev. ed. (New York: Facts On File, 2005), Pg. 175

#_ftnref5 Sacks, Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Pg. 174

#_ftnref6 Sacks, Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Pg. 175

#_ftnref7 Rodgers, Ancient Greece Pg. 97