The Golden Age of Pericles 460-429 B.C. (Between the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars) After the Persian Wars, Athens experienced a time of prosperity and power This period of time saw the flourish of Greek culture, including many contributions that are still prevalent to this day in the Western World Expansion of Democracy Most adult males could vote Threat of banishment for not participating Athens and the Parthenon rebuilt after being destroyed during the Persian Wars

Pericles He was honest and fair The Golden Age was led by a man named, Pericles, a wise and able statesman who led Athens through this time He was honest and fair Skillful politician and inspiring speaker Had popular support for 32 years

Three Goals for Greece During the Golden Age 1.) Strengthen Democracy 2.) Strengthen the Empire 3.) Glorify Athens

1.) Strengthen Democracy Introduction of Direct Democracy – a form of government where the citizens rule directly and not through representatives Pericles extended Democracy so that most adult males had an equal voice in the government

2.) Strengthen the Empire Strengthened the Athenian navy – became the most powerful in the Mediterranean Athens’ strong navy ensured the safety of its empire

Pericles rebuilt Athens after the destruction of the Persian Wars 3.) Glorify Athens Pericles rebuilt Athens after the destruction of the Persian Wars Built the Parthenon using marble, gold and ivory

Greek Achievements – History Herodotus – Greek historian who is known as the “father of history” He wrote histories which were about the conflict between Persia and Greece Thucydides – Greek historian who wrote “The History of the Peloponnesian War,” the conflict between Athens and Sparta for control of Greece

Greek Achievements – Literature Homer – famous, blind story teller of Greece His works were composed into two major epics known as the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey”

Achievements - Drama Greeks invented drama and built the first theaters in the west Greeks wrote two kinds of plays: Tragedy – a serious drama about themes like love, hate, war or betrayal, written mainly by Aeschylus and Sophocles Comedy – dramas filled with humor and poked fun at customs or respected people, written mainly by Aristophanes

Achievements - Art Sculptors tried to create graceful, strong and perfectly formed art Tried to capture movement and sculpted bodies in what they thought was perfect physical form Phidias – known as the greatest Greek sculptor He designed the Parthenon (the temple of the Goddess Athena) Sculpted the huge Statue of Zeus at Olympus

Achievements – Architecture Greek architecture is known for the different types of columns Doric – very plain and simple; has no base Ionic – capitol (or top) has scrolls; base is decorative Corinthian – most decorative capitol; base is decorative

Achievements – Mathematics and Science Archimedes – famous ancient Greek mathematician who discovered the principles of density and buoyancy Euclid – famous ancient Greek mathematician, who is known as the father of Geometry Pythagoras – famous ancient Greek mathematician, who is known as the father of numbers, as well as the development of the Pythagorean Theory Hippocrates – physician known as the father of medicine and one of the greatest physicians of his time; oath doctors must take is named after him

Achievements – Philosophy Greek Philosophers are known for their development and contributions to the proverb “know thyself” Know every aspect about yourself – your strengths, your weaknesses, your potential, your shortcomings, etc. The following philosophers are known as the founders of Western Philosophy: Socrates Credited with the creation of the Socratic Method – a form of questioning and discussion between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking Plato A student of Socrates who recorded Socrates’ words, as well as wrote The Republic, the first book on Political Science Aristotle A student of Plato who wrote, Poetics, Rhetoric, and Politics Teacher of Alexander the Great