Pentekontetìa 2: L'età di Pericle (Atene tra 460 e 445 a.C.)

Summary

The video explores the transformative leadership of Pericles in ancient Athens, marking the rise of democracy and its deep cultural and political impact. Pericles expanded citizen participation through reforms like paid public office and education for orphans, while fostering Athenian power with monumental public works like the Parthenon. Although his policies promoted equality among Athenian men, they excluded women, slaves, and foreigners. Athens' imperial ambitions grew, exemplified by its control over the Delian League. This period, however, also saw tensions with Sparta and eventually led to the Peloponnesian War, setting the stage for Athens' eventual decline.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pericles became the leader of Athens in 460 BC, marking the beginning of the 'Age of Pericles,' which lasted for about thirty years.
• 😀 Pericles, despite coming from an aristocratic family, advocated for democratic reforms that benefited smaller social classes like small landowners, artisans, and merchants.
• 😀 Pericles promoted two key principles in Athenian politics: isegoria (equal right to speak in assemblies) and isonomia (equality before the law).
• 😀 Pericles introduced reforms that allowed for public offices to be accessible to all citizens, regardless of wealth, by providing salaries for public service.
• 😀 Significant public works were undertaken during Pericles' rule, such as the rebuilding of the Acropolis and the construction of the Parthenon, symbolizing Athens' power.
• 😀 Pericles also initiated the construction of the Long Walls connecting Athens to its ports, making the city more secure in case of an attack.
• 😀 Athens under Pericles saw the flourishing of theater as a political and cultural tool, with citizens engaging in performances related to politics and morals.
• 😀 Although Pericles' democratic initiatives were significant, they only benefited Athenian male citizens, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners.
• 😀 Pericles also limited Athenian citizenship to those whose parents were both Athenian, reducing the population of eligible citizens to around 40,000–60,000.
• 😀 The expansion of Athenian power during this period also led to the transformation of the Delian League into an Athenian empire, with cities required to pay tributes to Athens.
• 😀 Pericles' foreign policy focused on conflicts with Persia and Sparta. Athens asserted control over the Delian League and engaged in several military confrontations with other Greek cities.

Q & A

What significant political shift occurred after the phase dominated by Cimon?

After the phase dominated by Cimon, a new era began under Pericles, characterized by the rise of democratic and radical orientations in Athens, replacing the aristocratic leadership.

How did Pericles embody the aspirations of the lower social classes in Athens?

Despite coming from an aristocratic family, Pericles represented the aspirations of small landowners, sailors, artisans, and merchants, the social classes that formed the backbone of Athens' naval power and economy.

What were the key principles guiding Pericles' internal policies?

Pericles' internal policies were guided by two main principles: isegoria (equal right to speak in the assembly) and isonomia (equality before the law), promoting the involvement of all citizens in political life.

How did Pericles contribute to the education and involvement of the common people in political life?

Pericles contributed by ensuring public education for orphans and providing subsidies to the indigent, which allowed them to participate in public life. He also made public offices accessible to everyone, even to the lower classes.

What changes did Pericles implement in the structure of political offices in Athens?

Pericles reformed political offices by introducing pay for public positions, allowing even those who couldn't afford to miss work to hold office. He also made the selection of most offices through random lottery instead of elections.

What were the major construction projects undertaken during Pericles' rule, and why were they significant?

Major projects included the reconstruction of the Acropolis, particularly the Parthenon, symbolizing Athens' power. The construction of the great walls linking Athens to its ports also made the city more defensible and self-sufficient in times of conflict.

How did the theater play a role in Athenian society during Pericles' time?

Theater was not just entertainment but an opportunity for citizens to reflect on political and moral issues through performances. Public performances were funded by wealthy citizens as part of their civic duties.

What limitation existed within the democracy introduced by Pericles?

Pericles' democracy was limited to male citizens who were at least 30 years old and who could prove Athenian ancestry. This excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens from political participation.

How did Pericles finance his ambitious public works and democratic reforms?

Pericles financed his reforms through various means: port taxes, levies on foreigners, revenues from state-owned properties like silver mines, voluntary donations from the wealthy, and tributes paid by the allies of the Delian League.

How did Athens' foreign policy evolve under Pericles, particularly regarding its allies?

Under Pericles, Athens' foreign policy aimed to secure dominance in the Aegean, transitioning from defending Greek city-states against Persia to exerting imperial control over the Delian League, with its allies being forced into paying tributes.