Statesman Pericles

Pericles
Athens
Statesman, General
c. 495 BC – 429 BC

Background
       Admired by Thucydides, Pericles was a natural leader who contributed heavily to Athenian democracy and the empire’s building just prior to the First Peloponnesian War. Pericles was instrumental in the construction of Acropolis in 447 BC.

Peloponnesian War Contribution
       Participated the both Peloponnesian Wars as a statesman and general. Pericles anticipated King Archidamus II and his Spartan army to move on Athens and called for the pulling back of Athens’ rural population behind the walls prior to the Spartan arrival. Ultimately this would be Pericles’ death sentence as Typhoid Fever ravaged Athenians behind the walls and the Athenian people voted against attacking the Spartans as they began to fall back for the farming season.