He was the son of the politician Xanthippus, who, though ostracized in 485-484 BC, returned to Athens to command the Athenian contingent in the Greek victory at Mycale just five years later. Available Fewer people than you may think have read or even heard of the Gettysburg Address. Download a PDF to print or study offline. 20% Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/pericles-funeral-oration-thucydides-version-111998. In Pericles' Funeral Oration, Pericles' praises the dead, describes how great Athens is, explains why Athens must continue to support the war, and tells why Athens must live up to the fallen soldiers of the Peloponnesian war. All citizens could speak and try to shape the policies and practices of the city-state. Then times passes; Pericles is king of Tyre, Thaisa becomes a priestess for Diana, and Marina grows up. Quote Analysis: The unexamined life is not worth living, Treaty of Versailles: How America, France & Britain Benefited, The Scarlet Letter: Analysis, Summary, Themes, The 1968 Tet Offensive: Summary & Analysis, The Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Refractive Indices of Water and Oil: Lab Explained, Hitlers Consolidation of Power: The Night of Long Knives. Pericles's speech praising those who died for democracy influenced later speechwriters, including President Abraham Lincoln (18091865), whose Gettysburg Address (1863) contains many parallels to Pericles's text. Furthermore, Pericles says, Athens does not just exercise democratic principles in government, but also in everyday life. Gill, N.S. C. Pericles believes that Athenians play too hard and work too little. Youve successfully purchased a group discount. He was so important to Athens that his name defines the Periclean age ("The Age of Pericles"), a period when Athens rebuilt what had been destroyed during the recent war with Persia (the Greco-Persian or Persian Wars). Monoson, Sara (2002). Sold to a brothel run by Pander and Bawd, Marina refuses to give up her honor, despite the many men who come wanting to buy her virginity. It is also a crucial moment in Thucydides' historical account of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta, as it marks the transition from the first . That if anyone should ask, they should look at their final moments when they gave their lives to their country and that should leave no doubt in the mind of the doubtful. He paints Athens's war dead as tough, disciplined, and heroic, suggesting that they are no less prepared than Sparta's soldiers. It continued to develop with the institution of a democratic system of government through the efforts of the Athenian statesman Cleisthenes (c. 570c. Pericles's funeral oration was given to honor the soldiers lost in war by commemorating the military accomplishments of the Athens government and to distinguish the roles of men and women in Athens society. Here, he refers to the Spartans as Lacedaemonians, as Sparta was located in the Laconia region of the Peloponnese, in southern Greece. Like "A man who has the knowledge but lacks the power to express it is no better off than if he never had any ideas at all." Pericles 4 likes. In any case, the funeral oration of Pericles perfectly characterizes the moment and the spirit of that Athens, which he identifies as the land of the free and the home of the brave (like the American home of the brave ) that, after his death at the the following year, it would never regain its splendor. At any rate, Pericles eventually succumbed to and died from this plague. [1] The speech was delivered by Periclesat the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War(431 - 404 BCE). In spite of his often jingoistic faith in Athens, Pericles is indeed right in assuming that the admiration of the present and succeeding ages will be [Athenss]. The bodies of the dead were cremated soon after death. Course Hero. He is successful, but discovers that its answer reveals the incestuous relationship between father and daughter. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% Purchasing [14] This amounts to a focus on present-day Athens; Thucydides' Pericles thus decides to praise the war dead by glorifying the city for which they died. Unusual opening and the reason Pericles chose to begin this way. He praises Athenian refinement but says that Athenians do not enjoy luxury or wealth excessively. Pericles and his fellow citizens, however, saw their democracy as a just, rational, and ideal form of government. Pericles begins by acknowledging that most speakers praise the decision, made by a past generation, to add an oration, or speech, to Athens's funeral customs. Have study documents to share about Funeral Oration? Being born poor or of low status does not prevent a talented man from getting ahead. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. The key issue for Pericles is that power is "in the hands of the many, not of the few.". Homer (c. 9th or 8th century BCE) was a celebrated Greek poet. Thucydides fervently supported Periclesbut was less enthusiastic about the institution of democracy. Women in Athens were expected to be dutiful wives and mothers. Summary. Fewer still have read or heard of the Emancipation Proclamation or Pericles Funeral Oration, including many teachers and academics. Therefore, he proceeds to point out that the greatest honour and act of valour in Athens is to live and die for freedom of the state Pericles believed was different and more special than any other neighbouring city. Many scholars see echoes of Pericles's text in President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. He further says that democracy guarantees privacy and equal justice for all. He is preparing Athenians for what lies ahead. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. Pericles glorifies the equal justice to all under the law that all men of Athens share and glorifies their superiority over their peer poleis. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! The speech begins by praising the custom of the public funeral for the dead, but criticises the inclusion of the speech, arguing that the "reputations of many brave men" should "not be imperilled in the mouth of a single individual". The life Athenians enjoy also rests on most citizens being knowledgeable about and involved in politics and a culture that seeks to benefit all citizens, not just a select few. Details about the nature and name of this disease are unknown, but a recent best guess is Typhoid Fever. 1.22.1. Summary. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Therefore, he suggests, by praising Athens's glory he also praises those who have fought for the city-state and its values. The Athenian leader, Pericles, steps forward to deliver the funeral oration before the mourners. Republic vs. Democracy: What Is the Difference? You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at [email protected]. Pericles continues to discuss what makes Athens a great city-state. On the way home Pericles is shipwrecked in a storm in Pentapolis. In a democracy, class considerations [are not] allowed to interfere with merit any man capable enough to rule is allowed to do so. Pericles's praise of Athens also serves to compare it favorably with Sparta and to criticize Sparta's values, lifestyle, and form of government. Copy each sentence. The speech starts with Pericles saying how he cannot believe that this man who had such great talent has died and then goes on to talk about what a great life Euripides led. Thus, choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting, they fled only from dishonour"[19] The conclusion seems inevitable: "Therefore, having judged that to be happy means to be free, and to be free means to be brave, do not shy away from the risks of war". However, it started as an ancient Greek art form. Please wait while we process your payment. 1, Routledge, 2016. Explore Course Hero's library of literature materials, including documents and Q&A pairs. At this point, however, Pericles departs most dramatically from the example of other Athenian funeral orations and skips over the great martial achievements of Athens' past: "That part of our history which tells of the military achievements which gave us our several possessions, or of the ready valour with which either we or our fathers stemmed the tide of Hellenic or foreign aggression, is a theme too familiar to my hearers for me to dwell upon, and I shall therefore pass it by. Pericles delivered the oration not only to bury the dead but to praise democracy. The speech is also remembered for its celebration of the principles of democracy and its emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of citizens. Course Hero. His words were recorded by the Athenian historian Thucydides (c. 460c. Antiochus sends an assassin after him. Pericles delivered this speech to the survivors of the fallen who lost their lives fighting in the Peloponnesian War. ThoughtCo, Jul. He praises the Athenian combination of daring and deliberation, meaning that they combine both consideration of a course of action and bravery when executing it. Their deaths bring them glory because of their actions and because they gave themselves for the good of their society. Introduction 2)the Dead. The liberality of which Pericles spoke also extended to Athens' foreign policy: "We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality"[16] Yet Athens' values of equality and openness do not, according to Pericles, hinder Athens' greatness, indeed, they enhance it, "advancement in public life falls to reputations for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with meritour ordinary citizens, though occupied with the pursuits of industry, are still fair judges of public mattersat Athens we live exactly as we please, and yet are just as ready to encounter every legitimate danger."[17]. Please wait while we process your payment. Upon first reading, the funeral oration is a stirring and strikingly resonant description of Western democracy's core values. Pericles says that Athenians are unique in extending these favors in a spirit of confidence derived from their generosity. In honoring the dead soldiers, Pericles states that their heroism overshadows any faults they may have had as individuals. [3] The remains of the dead[4] were left in a tent for three days so that offerings could be made. Science, English, History, Civics, Art, Business, Law, Geography, all free! If you're looking to get an A - or if you're just curious - this audio will put you ahead of the class! (As it turned out, Athens would not succeed. Pericles argues that Athens's greatness stems from its openness, freedom, democracy, military excellence, and the civic and moral strength of its citizenry. In the following speech, Pericles made these points about democracy: Baird, Forrest E., editor. Finally they were buried at a public grave (at Kerameikos). This study guide for Pericles's Funeral Oration offers summary and analysis on themes, symbols, and other literary devices found in the text.
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