Pericles Inaugural Address Analysis

As tradition dictated in Athens during the 5th century B.C.E., a funerary ritual was held to honor those who were killed during the first of the Peloponnesian wars. Pericles, the leader of Athens at the time, was chosen by the state to give a speech in honor of those lost in battle. Reading the oration of Pericles we realize it is not just a eulogy but is in fact more than that. This leads one to ask, what is the purpose of this speech that Pericles gave to his nation? In addition to paying tribute to the deceased and their ancestors he took this opportunity to address his audience about the importance of democracy and its role in the polis. In doing this, Pericles describes what is great about Athens and its people. In essence, Pericles was paying homage to those lost, while inspiring his listeners to move on with pride and continue fighting to defend their democracy. …show more content…
First, he pays tribute to the distant ancestors of the Athenian people claiming that “It is both just and proper that they should have the honour of the first mention for they dwelt in the country without break in the succession from generation to generation, and handed it down free to the present time by their valour” (Thucydides). He points out that if it not for their ancestors’ constant bravery and determination from one generation to the next, they would not be a free nation. Additionally, Pericles praised their fathers, who spared no pains to build up the inheritance of the present generation (Thucydides). Meaning, were it not for their fathers, they would have had nothing to