Athens Influence On Pericles

Menaldo states “Pericles style of speaking, rhetorical ability, and preference for rational explanation, became well settled in him on account of his great natural genius. His preference for rationality over customs, omens and divinations made its way into his policy proposals….Pericles Olympian loftiness, composure, calmness, and even the composure that characterized his tone of voice, present the embodiment of a political leader who derived his authority through his self-command and persuasive speech. As the leading citizen of his time, Pericles greatly affected the life of the average citizen in democratic Athens. Pericles’ character, public manner, intelligence, and rhetoric ability were all important to his political success.” (Menaldo, …show more content…
It was under Pericles rule that Athens became the leading center of Greek culture. According to Duiker and Spielvogel “Pericles used the money from the Delian League to set in Motion a massive rebuilding program. New temples and statues soon made the greatness of Athens more visible. Art, architecture, and philosophy flourished, and Pericles proudly boasted that Athens had become the “school of Greece.” These achievements would later hurt Athens by alarming other Greek states such as Sparta which would eventually confront a new …show more content…
Pericles himself succumbed to the plague which would become a devastating blow to the great city of Athens ending the “Age of Pericles” and weakening their military strategy. It was a devastating blow to Athens seeing that it would lose a General who ruled with effectiveness rather than trying to gain popularity. Those who ruled after Perciles doomed the city to ruins. Athens would fall into darkness leaving behind its prestige in culture and intellect. Despite all the loss to the people of Athens, its army, and a prestigious General who put a stamp on democracy Athens would continue to fight for twenty seven more years finally falling to Sparta. (Cummings,