Pericles, meaning surrounded by glory, was best known in history as a strategos, statesman, and well known orator during the Golden Age of Athens. Pericles not only promoted the arts and made Athens a thriving center for all aspiring artists, but he oversaw the rise of the democratic government which prominently changed Athens. His influence on Athens may not have been so ample had he not grown up in such a providing home. Pericles was born around 495 BCE to Xanthippus, a statesman, and Agariste, a member of the politically powerful Alcmaeonid family. His family not only provided him a superior position with their nobility and prestige, but wealth to help him pursue the education he sought to pertain, and Pericles’ education was what ultimately
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“So profound was his influence that the period in which he led Athens has been called the ‘Age of Pericles’”(Pericles, sec. 1). The requisite of Pericles’ influence in the Golden Age of Athens was so abundantly perceivable that a literal era was denominated after him. If not having an entire historical period designated after him was not enough of a plausible validation of his influence on Athens, in addition, his influence on Athenian society was so great that Thucydides called him the first citizen of Athens. The city of Athens during the Golden Age was able to blossom so suppliantly in terms of the arts and resolutely, Pericles promoted both the art of philosophy and literature, giving free rein to some of the most eminent writers and philosophers of his time. “In two departments of literature, the drama and history, the achievements of the age of Pericles have never been surpassed, and in a third, the department of philosophy, the foundation was laid for triumphs not less splendid”(Pericles and the Golden Age of Athens, chapter 17). Pericles impacted the artistic aspect of Athens during the Golden Age so much so that his achievements in his incomparable excellence to this day have never been surpassed. As implausible as it sounds, Pericles accomplished even more in addition to the numerous artistic revamps he made within his massive impact over
“So profound was his influence that the period in which he led Athens has been called the ‘Age of Pericles’”(Pericles, sec. 1). The requisite of Pericles’ influence in the Golden Age of Athens was so abundantly perceivable that a literal era was denominated after him. If not having an entire historical period designated after him was not enough of a plausible validation of his influence on Athens, in addition, his influence on Athenian society was so great that Thucydides called him the first citizen of Athens. The city of Athens during the Golden Age was able to blossom so suppliantly in terms of the arts and resolutely, Pericles promoted both the art of philosophy and literature, giving free rein to some of the most eminent writers and philosophers of his time. “In two departments of literature, the drama and history, the achievements of the age of Pericles have never been surpassed, and in a third, the department of philosophy, the foundation was laid for triumphs not less splendid”(Pericles and the Golden Age of Athens, chapter 17). Pericles impacted the artistic aspect of Athens during the Golden Age so much so that his achievements in his incomparable excellence to this day have never been surpassed. As implausible as it sounds, Pericles accomplished even more in addition to the numerous artistic revamps he made within his massive impact over