Question

How, if at all, does pericles' speech provide evidence of hellenic preoccupation with the human individual, the life of the polis, and rational analysis?

Answer 1

Pericles was an emperor of Athens. He was one of those responsible for the Peloponnesian war. The war was one of the consequences of Pericles' imperialism. The city of Sparta revolted against the domination of Athens, which had remained as administrator of the confederation of Delos. This confederation was a union between the Greek cities to fight the attack of the Persians.

In his speech Péricles talks about the spirit, since he says that the Athenians try to relieve their minds from business and work, with the celebration of games and making sacrifices. Pericles makes comparisons between the Athenian and the Spartan people, always praising Athens' politics and lifestyle.

Answer 2

Pericles' famous Funeral Oration, recorded by historian Thucydides in his book History of the Peloponnesian War (431 BC - 404 BC) , was delivered at the end of 431 BC as part of an annual public funeral for the war dead.

In his seech he broke away from tradition by skipping the military achievements of the city-state and dwelling on the city's cultural and academic qualities, its government system, its freedoms and the character of the athenian citizen. In the fourth paragraph he states:

"Further, we provide plenty of means for the mind to refresh itself from business. We celebrate games and sacrifices all the year round, and the elegance of our private establishments forms a daily source of pleasure and helps to banish the spleen; while the magnitude of our city draws the produce of the world into our harbour, so that to the Athenian the fruits of other countries are as familiar a luxury as those of his own."

We may indeed conclude that the content and direction of his speech gives an indication of his and his culture's appreciation for the citizen and his liberties, the city's vibrant cultural atmostphere and its cosmopolitan attitude, drawing these conclusions from the arguments he presents.