1. The Golden Age of Pericles
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

2. 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

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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”

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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