Although Athens had a geographical advantage with mountains acting as a natural barrier and easy access to the sea, they were battle tested by the Persians. The Persian Wars tested Greek poleis’ on their ability to preserve their independence over other city-states. After the battle of Platea, Athens decided to form the Delian League of cities to continue to resist the Persians, ultimately liberating Ionia and its Greek settlements from Persian control. Athens was in desperate need of leader who could guide this powerful city-state, which is why Pericles the right piece for the puzzle, but after his death, Athens had no chance of retaining all of its power.
By 450 BCE, Athens was essentially an empire, but did not have good relations with other …show more content…
Pericles opposed Cimon’s ideas of the Delian League and wanted to change the mentality of the Athenians. He was a powerful speaker and promoter of Athenian culture. Pericles strived to please his audience by serving as the strategos. The Athenians were fond of their leader and thought well of him because he provided jobs, food, and spoke well about Athens. But by uniting his city-state, Pericles he was quite degrading to the other fellow poleis’ . During his address to the people, he notes that the Athenians “are an example to them rather than they are to [them]” (Dutton 68). The Athenians thought of themselves as a group of almighty, elitists, while portraying other city-states to be out of their league. Pericles felt that the Athenian government of a democracy gave voices to the majority and there was equal justice with welcomed public opinion. He informs the crowd …show more content…
He traded with the Romans and Etruscans, while also expanding greek language, culture, and economy in the process. Alexander the Great traveled and he spread Greek thought and culture, thus hellenizing those he conquered. Alexandria’s geographic location was a key factor to the process of hellenization. Since it was located on the Mediterranean Sea, there was access to a body of water for trading, while they could also trade on the mainland. Undoubtedly, Alexander the Great complete the original Athenian mission: defeat the Persian Empire. Alexander took down the Persians which finally allowed Greek settlements to conquer the East. Despite the Athenian reign coming to a halt, Greek culture continued to spread throughout the world during this time
By 450 BCE, Athens was essentially an empire, but did not have good relations with other …show more content…
Pericles opposed Cimon’s ideas of the Delian League and wanted to change the mentality of the Athenians. He was a powerful speaker and promoter of Athenian culture. Pericles strived to please his audience by serving as the strategos. The Athenians were fond of their leader and thought well of him because he provided jobs, food, and spoke well about Athens. But by uniting his city-state, Pericles he was quite degrading to the other fellow poleis’ . During his address to the people, he notes that the Athenians “are an example to them rather than they are to [them]” (Dutton 68). The Athenians thought of themselves as a group of almighty, elitists, while portraying other city-states to be out of their league. Pericles felt that the Athenian government of a democracy gave voices to the majority and there was equal justice with welcomed public opinion. He informs the crowd …show more content…
He traded with the Romans and Etruscans, while also expanding greek language, culture, and economy in the process. Alexander the Great traveled and he spread Greek thought and culture, thus hellenizing those he conquered. Alexandria’s geographic location was a key factor to the process of hellenization. Since it was located on the Mediterranean Sea, there was access to a body of water for trading, while they could also trade on the mainland. Undoubtedly, Alexander the Great complete the original Athenian mission: defeat the Persian Empire. Alexander took down the Persians which finally allowed Greek settlements to conquer the East. Despite the Athenian reign coming to a halt, Greek culture continued to spread throughout the world during this time