Download Pericles - Stacy Middle School

Name
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Class
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Ancient Greece
Date
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Biography
Pericles
c. 495-429 Be
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Pericles was one
of the most influential statesmen of Ancient
Greece. Pericles is best remembered for
expanding democracy in Athens. So great was
his influence on Athens that his rule is often
called the "Age of Pericles:'
-~ ~
As
read the biography
below, think
about
howyou
Pericles'ssense
of responsibility
led him
to
advance democracy and improve Athens.
Called "the greatest man in Athens," Pericles was
a popular and powerful statesman who led Athens
into the Golden Age. Pericles spent his life in
service of Athens. He worked hard to make his city
the most beautiful and powerful state in Greece.
Pericles was born into a powerful family. He
began his life in politics around the age of 20 and
quickly rose to importance in the Athenian
government. As the head of state, Pericles made
many reforms to help the people of Athens. He
created a salary system and a public payroll. This
was the first time elected officials were paid for their
work. Pericles also allowed common people to serve
in state offices. These improvements helped expand
democracy in Athens.
Under Pericles, Athenian art, science, and philosophy flourished. Pericles urged Athenians to use
money in the state treasury for two things-to
build a stronger navy and to beautify Athens.
Pericles hired architects and sculptors to build and
decorate many public buildings in Athens. The
Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the
VOCABULARY
payroll" a list of employees
and how much they are
paid
a place where
money is kept
treasury
Propylaea are a few of the structures built at this
time. These buildings made Athens a magnificent city.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
6
Ancient Greece
Name
Pericles,
_
Class
continued
_
Date
_
Biography
In 431 BC, the Peloponnesian War began between
Sparta and Athens. As military commander, Pericles
watched as Athens struggled in the war. By the end
of the first year of war, many Athenians had been
killed. Pericles gave a famous funeral oration for
those who had died. The speech appealed to the
Athenians' sense of patriotism and pride.
Duri~g the war, Pericles had the people from
surrounding areas abandon their homes and move
to Athens, where they would be safe behind the
city's walls. Although the people were safe, this
. strategy allowed the Spartans to destroy much of
the land around Athens. This made many Athenians
angry with Pericles
In 430 BC, a plague broke out and many Athenians
died. Because of these problems, Pericles began to
lose trust of the people, and he was removed from
office for a short while. Pericles returned to power,
but soon became ill from the plague and died. Athens
had lost its greatest statesman.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Analyzing
2. Sequencing
How did Pericles improve life in Athens?
Place the major events from Pericles's life in the proper order.
What do you think was Pericles's greatest accomplishment? Explain
your answer.
3. Evaluating
ACTIVITY
3. Imagine that you are a public official in Athens, receiving a salary for the first
time. Aside from money, what other things are important for your job? Choose
one, and write a request letter to Pericles. In your letter, give an explanation as to
how this would help other Athenians who are working for the state.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
7
Ancient Greece