The Age Of Excellence in 5th Century Athens essays

The Age Of Excellence in 5th Century Athens essays 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 was able to travel and meet envoys. This travel and exploring gained him much experience. Pericles gained power by way of the law courts after a hearing, because of his natural ability. He ran for office, to be a general. Once elected, the generals, being ten in number, were seldom put in charge. Pericles was chosen as a statesman because this way his opinions counted considerably. He maintained this position for thirty years, and this era is known as the "Age of Pericles." He had the aristocratic leader Cimon ostracized, thus becoming the foremost leader of Athens for 15 years. Under Pericles, Athens became the most spl endid of Greek city-states, both politically and culturally with its fleet, making allies ...