Ch. 4 Section 4- The Age of Pericles For over 20 years, at Athens' height, the city was dominated by the aloof, 'Olympian' figure of Pericles. A magnificent orator with a reputation for scrupulous honesty, Pericles deepened and extended the reforms that Cleisthenes had set in motion some 50 years before. A keen patron of learning and the arts, he masterminded the construction of the Parthenon. However, in glorifying Athens, he set it upon a collision course with Sparta that would ultimately lead to its ruin. Pericles

Section 4 Overview This section explores how Athens blossomed under Pericles and the reasons Athens and Sparta went to war. Athens was named for its patron goddess, Athena

The Athenian Empire Athens joined forces with other city-states to form the Delian League. The league promised to defend its members against the Persians. Athens eventually gained control of the Delian League. They moved the capital from Delos to Athens.

Athens Had a direct democracy, people vote firsthand on laws and policies. This worked because Athens had a small population. The United States has a representative democracy, people elect smaller groups to vote on behalf of the people. Cong. Mike Rogers Sen. Richard Shelby Sen. Jeff Sessions

Athens Pericles was a general who led Athens for more than 30 years He promoted democracy by including more people in the government. The Age of Pericles was a time of creativity and learning. He built temples and statues in the city after the destruction of the Persian Wars. He also supported artists, writers, architects, and philosophers. Philosophers are people who ponder questions about life.

Pericles’ buildings Parthenon The jewel in the crown of Pericles' Building Project is certainly the Parthenon, the most glorious - and enduring - of all Pericles' imperishable monuments to Athens' greatness. The Parthenon is dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the Virgin Goddess of war, wisdom and weaving, and patron goddess of the city (the pedimental sculptures tell the stories of her birth and her victorious contest with Poseidon to be patron god of Athens). Inside the temple stood her 40 foot tall gold and ivory (chryselephantine) cult statue made by Pheidias, friend of Pericles.

Daily Life in Athens 400’s B.C., Athens had a population of 285,000. It was largest of all Greek city-states. Most Athenian homes had at least one slave Farmers grew grain, vegetables, fruit, olives, and grapes. Athens had to import most of its grain due to lack of farmland Herders raised sheep and goats for wool, milk, and cheese.

Daily Life in Athens Athens became trading center of the Greek world. Merchants traded pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and other products. Athenian men worked in the morning and exercised or attended assembly meetings in the evening. Women were responsible for caring for their children and their households. Poor women might work in the fields. Athenian women had no political rights and could not own property.

The Peloponnesian War City states along with Sparta became suspicious of Athens. They joined together against Athens. This war that broke out is called the Peloponnesian War. War lasted from 431 B.C. -404 B.C.