Pericles

Born circa 490 B.C. in Athens; died there 429 B.C. Greek statesman. Strategos (commander-in-chief) of Athens from 444/443 to 429 B.C., except for the year 430 B.C.

Pericles belonged to an aristocratic family and received a well-rounded education. On entering politics, he affiliated himself with the middle strata of the slaveholding democratic group led by Ephialtes. These strata had an interest in the growth of the naval power of Athens and the expansion of commercial ties. After Ephialtes’ death, Pericles assumed leadership of the Athenian democrats, becoming head of the Athenian state in 443 B.C.

Pericles is associated with legislation that led to increased democratization of the Athenian governmental system. Property ownership was eliminated as a qualification for enjoyment of political rights, sortition was substituted for the voice vote in electing most officials, and officials began receiving payment for their services. Under Pericles a special fund was set up to provide poorer citizens with theorica, that is, money to attend the theater. The construction of the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Odeum, and other public buildings provided work for many citizens. The poor were resettled in cleruchies, colonies established in subjugated or allied states. All these measures, however, were undertaken solely in the interests of the fully enfranchised citizenry.

Pericles’ foreign policy was aimed at expanding and strengthening Athenian maritime power. As strategos, he personally led a series of military campaigns and expeditions. He crushed a rebellion on Samos in 440 B.C. and attempts by various cities to leave the Delian League. Pericles’ position was shaken by the Peloponnesian War (431–404 B.C.), Spartan incursions into Attica, and a serious epidemic in besieged Athens. In 430 B.C. he was not elected strategos and was fined a great deal of money for financial abuses. He regained his influence the following year and was made strategos once again but died of the plague.

Pericles’ popularity can be explained by his pursuit of policies corresponding to the interests of the majority of Athenian citizens. Under his rule, Athens became the major economic, political, and cultural center of the Hellenistic world. In the words of K. Marx, “Greece flourished at its best internally in the time of Pericles” (K. Marx and F. Engels, Soch, 2nd ed., vol. 1, p. 98).