The Greatest Speech of all Time?

Summary

In Pericles' Funeral Oration, delivered during the early stages of the Peloponnesian War, the Athenian leader commemorates the soldiers who died in battle. Rather than focusing on nationalistic rhetoric, he highlights the virtues of Athenian democracy and the sacrifices made to defend it. The speech is notable for its inclusivity, as it was the one occasion when all citizens—men, women, and foreigners—gathered together. Pericles' eloquence had a lasting impact, influencing future leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, and leaving behind a powerful message about civic duty and the enduring ideals of democracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Athenians held an annual public funeral for soldiers who died in war, especially significant in times of higher casualties, like the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War in 431 BCE.
• 😀 Pericles, although not a general, was chosen to deliver the funeral oration because of his powerful and beautiful voice.
• 😀 In 431 BCE, due to the heavy losses during the Peloponnesian War, there were many more soldiers to commemorate than usual, particularly those killed in northern Greece and the islands.
• 😀 The funeral ceremony was deeply moving, involving symbolic gestures like empty coffins and bones of the dead, as many soldiers' bodies could not be recovered.
• 😀 Pericles' funeral speech, recorded by the historian Thucydides, is one of the most important historical texts, praised for its solemnity and elevation of the Athenian democratic system.
• 😀 Unlike many ancient funeral speeches, Pericles avoided nationalistic rhetoric, instead focusing on the virtues of Athenian democracy and the sacrifice made to protect it.
• 😀 The funeral ceremony was unique in that it involved all citizens of Athens, including women, orphaned children, and even resident foreigners, making it an inclusive civic event.
• 😀 Pericles' speech became famous for its lines, some of which have influenced later speeches, including John F. Kennedy's famous quote about what citizens can do for their country.
• 😀 The speech had lasting cultural influence, inspiring Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Barack Obama's inaugural speeches.
• 😀 The Athenian funeral ceremony and Pericles' speech are central to understanding the values of Athens during the Peloponnesian War and the ideals of democracy they defended.

Q & A

What was the purpose of the annual public funeral held by the Athenians?

The annual public funeral was held to honor and commemorate all those who had died in war, specifically soldiers who had died defending Athens, as the city was frequently engaged in warfare.

Why was 431 BC particularly significant for the Athenian public funeral?

431 BC marked the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, resulting in a significantly higher number of war casualties, particularly young men who had died in northern Greece and around the islands.

Why was Pericles chosen to deliver the funeral speech in 431 BC?

Pericles was chosen not because of his military role, but because he was regarded as having the most beautiful voice in the city, which made him the ideal speaker for this solemn occasion.

What were the unique aspects of the public funeral ceremony in 431 BC?

The ceremony included empty coffins to honor those whose bodies could not be recovered, and some soldiers were represented by bones. It was a deeply moving and grand occasion in Athens’ civic calendar.

Who recorded Pericles' funeral speech, and why is this significant?

The great Athenian historian Thucydides, who was a friend of Pericles and likely an eyewitness, recorded the speech, making it one of the few surviving accounts of such an event.

What was notable about Pericles' speech compared to other funeral speeches from antiquity?

Unlike other funeral speeches that often used nationalistic or jingoistic rhetoric, Pericles' speech avoided such language and instead focused on the glories of the Athenian democratic system that the fallen soldiers had died to defend.

Who was included in the audience of Pericles' funeral speech?

For the first time in the Athenian calendar, not only men, but also women, orphaned children, elderly bereaved individuals, and resident foreigners were included in the audience, making it a civic occasion that addressed all of Athens.

What is one of the most famous lines from Pericles' funeral speech?

One of the most famous lines from Pericles' speech is, 'Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,' which later influenced speeches by other leaders, including Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama.

How did Pericles' funeral speech influence later speeches?

Pericles' speech was so impactful that it influenced famous speeches, including Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Barack Obama's inaugural speeches, reflecting its enduring legacy in political rhetoric.

What role did the Athenian democratic system play in Pericles' speech?

In his speech, Pericles highlighted the Athenian democratic system as a key element that the soldiers had fought to protect, emphasizing its value and the way it had shaped the city’s prosperity and values.