Pericles’ Plan for Athens A wise and able statesman named Pericles led Athens during much of its golden age. Honest and fair, Pericles held onto popular support for 32 years. He was a skillful politician, an inspiring speaker, and a respected general. He so dominated the life of Athens from 461 to 429 B.C. that this period often is called the Age of Pericles. He had three goals: (1) to strengthen Athenian democracy, (2) to hold and strengthen the empire, and (3) to glorify Athens.

Stronger Democracy Pericles increased the number of public officials who were paid salaries The introduction of direct democracy, a form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives, was an important legacy of Periclean Athens.

Athenian Empire After the defeat of the Persians, Athens helped organize the Delian League. Glorifying Athens Pericles also used money from the Delian League to beautify Athens. Without the league’s approval, he persuaded the Athenian assembly to vote huge sums of the league’s money to buy gold, ivory, and marble. Still more money went to pay the artists, architects, and workers who used these materials.

Alexander the Great 1. Led soldiers across Hellespont into Anatolia 2. Launched a surprise attack 3. Rejected Darius’ peace settlement 4. Led army into Indus Valley

Alexander age 20 takes control educated by Aristotle commander of field troops at age 16 loved for his courage and skill 334 BCE invades Persian territories

Empire Coast of Turkey freeing Greek cities and colonies forced Persian king Darius III to flee back to Persia moved south and took Mediterranean coast all the way to Egypt founded first Alexandria declared Pharaoh 331 began movement into Persia itself took Babylon, Persepolis and Susa marched all the way to Indus River in modern Pakistan established cities and left troops all the way along

Empire II 327BCE Macedonian troops refused to go farther returned to Persepolis by way of coast got sick and died at age 32 holding were divided among his 3 strongest generals

Philosophers The Sophists profession teachers moved between the various cities Athens freedom of speech drew many rejected idea of god influencing human behavior felt man responsible for his own actions and conditions criticized for being mercenary

Socrates born in Athens 470BCE sculptor by trade believed in absolute truth used “Socratic method” taught by asking questions required students to look inward for answers criticized for corrupting youth found guilty and sentenced to death drank hemlock poison and died according to law

Plato aristocrat by birth opened Academy on death of Socrates recorded dialogs between Socrates and students The Republic presented a plan for ideal society and government liked Sparta over Athens rejected the senses as a source of truth reality could only be understood through logical thought

Aristotle studied with Plato for 20 years tutored young Alexander of Macedonia opened school in Athens called the Lyceum worked in logic scientific method argued that all forms of government were workable