PERCLES’ DREAM

By:  GEORGIA MOLDOVANI,

Professor of Greek Language, Thessaloniki, Greece

Translation from Greek: Ioanna Sivridou

VIDEO LINK:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=noGmCvVc9Gw

VIDEO LINK:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=noGmCvVc9Gw

PERICLES DREAM

PERICLES the son of Agaristes and Xanthipos was undoubtedly one of the most well known men not only of ATHENS but of the whole world.

He was born in Cholargos [Athens]  in 495 BC.  Although he was of Aristocratic descent he belonged to a democratic party who believed in equality amongst citizens.

Despite being highly intelligent and a remarkable orator he was also quite humble.  He took away the power of the Supreme Court giving it to the Assembly of people, where the citizens conferred.  He completed the fortification of Athens and Piraeus with complimentary walls.  In order to make Athens more beautiful he built immortal monuments.

In 450BC he began planning the construction of the Acropoles.  Pericle's dream was to make Athens so beautiful that it would not be able to compare it with any other city.  This dream became true. It was the miracle created by both Pericles and his Architects [ Iktinos, Kallikratis and Mnesikles ].

PERICLES led the democratic party and governed Athens for 30 years.  He died in 429 BC.  During this time Athens was at its highest moment. Athens was a rich, strong, beautiful city and full of glory.  It was the city of Culture and Arts.  Sculptures, Poets and Painters adorned the city.  That was the GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS.

Aspasia his wife stood equally at his side with beauty and spirit, supporting and helping Pericles.  The GOLDEN AGE OF ATHENS declined with the death of the great PERICLES.  Yet his works and fame remain immortal throughout History to this day.