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The Golden Age

The Golden Age. Western Civilization October 10, 2012. Results of the Persian War. Athens became the most powerful Greek city-state Delian League A military alliance between many Greek city-states Moved the treasury to Athens Forced city-states to remain in alliance against their will

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The Golden Age

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  1. The Golden Age Western Civilization October 10, 2012

  2. Results of the Persian War • Athens became the most powerful Greek city-state • Delian League • A military alliance between many Greek city-states • Moved the treasury to Athens • Forced city-states to remain in alliance against their will • Athens used this league to create and extend its empire

  3. Pericles(493-430 BCE) • Born to aristocratic parents • Fled from Athens during Persian War • First involvement in politics in 461 BCE • Organized vote to eliminate the power of the Areopagus • Considered the defining moment in Athenian democracy • Very democratic ruler • Patron of the arts • Builder of the Parthenon • Known for his incorruptibility and refusal to take bribes

  4. The Age of Pericles (c. 460-429 BCE) • Expansion of the Athenian Empire • Peace treaty with Persia • Extended franchise • Believed all male citizens, regardless of wealth or status, should take part in government (Pure democracy) • Needed at least 6,000 men present to take a vote • Paid a salary to men holding political office or jury • Allowed the poor to participate “We alone, regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as harmless, but as a useless character.” - Pericles

  5. The Parthenon • Construction began in 447 BCE • Completed in 432 BCE • Pericles insisted his countrymen support him in constructing a building whose magnificence, architectural genius, and sheer brilliance would reflect the prestige of imperial Athens: “All kinds of enterprises should be created which will provide an inspiration for every art, find employment for every hand... we must devote ourselves to acquiring things that will be the source of everlasting fame.”

  6. The Age of Pericles • Athens became a city of the arts • Theater • Theatre of Dionysus – a biannual competition between three playwrights • Tragedy, Comedy, and Satyr • Philosophy • Socrates • Plato • Art • Conveys the vitality of life and permanence

  7. Meanwhile… • Elsewhere in Greece, Athens’ expansion and magnificence found less enthusiasm • Many within the Delian League upset that Athens used allied money to fund expansion and building projects • Sparta, with its xenophobic, militaristic values, resented Athenian dominance • Peloponnesian League • Sparta and other envious city-states create an alliance to counter the Delian League

  8. And…………………………it’s gone. • Pericles and Athens aware of widespread distrust of Athenian expansion and glory • In 431 BCE, Pericles stood before the assembly attempting urge them into making a momentous decision: “If we go to war, as I think we must, be determined that we are not going to climb down. For it is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glories are to be won.” • The assembly responded with a declaration of war against Sparta and the Peloponnesian League • Thus begins the Peloponnesian War

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