PERICLES - The Age Of Excellence in 5th Century Athens
One figure towers over 5th Century Athens: Pericles. This Age of Athens, which begins either in 462 or 450 or 445 BC and lasts until 404 BC, when Athens is defeated by Sparta, is called the Athenian Age, the Classical Age, or, after its most important political figure, the Age of Pericles. Pericles' rule as a statesman in Athens is called the Golden Age of Pericles, and he was an eager supporter of democracy. He wanted all citizens of Athens to take an active part in politics, and he was the first to pay servants to the state. He made it so that the members of the council were chosen by all Athenians, and Pericles restored and built many temples and structures, such as the Parthenon on the Acropolis, employing the poorest citizens. Pericles embodied the spirit of classical Athens, allowing it to flourish and having the belief in the Athenians as all Leaders should.Pericles was born in 495 B.C. He was born into the family of the Alcmaeonids, who played large financial and political parts in Greece for several centuries. His mother was Agariste, the sister of Cleisthenes, and his father was Xanthippus. He commanded an Athenian contingent of the allied fleet and because he belonged to a wealthy family, and had rich friends, he w
He maintained this position for thirty years, and this era is known as the "Age of Pericles". It was also the centre of Athenian civic life and contained temples, courts, the council house, and other public buildings. The Assembly was given unprecedented power over the selections of officials; elected officials, such as military generals, were not chosen by the Assembly, but the Assembly did hire and fire all other public officials. This allowed poor people to take the time from other business. Democracy was flourishing in the times of Pericles. The men grew desperate, and the democracy proved to be a failure. Another law that he proposed was of citizenship. He had the aristocratic leader Cimon ostracized, thus becoming the foremost leader of Athens for 15 years. These funds were applied by Pericles for the rebuilding of temples that were destroyed by the Persians. He had proposed to the people that jurymen should be paid, and the people agreed through the process of voting. When it came to fighting, Athenians were just as tough as Spartans. Pericles gained power by way of the law courts after a hearing, because of his natural ability. In addition, the Assembly served as a law court hearing major cases.
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