The wise and able statesman named Pericles commanded 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: 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.
(2) to hold and strengthen the empire: e After the defeat of the Persians, Athens helped organize the Delian League. In time, Athens tookover leadership of the league and dominated all the city-states in it. Pericles used the money from the league’s treasury to make the Athenian navy the strongest in The Mediterranean.
(3) to glorify Athens: Pericles also used money from the Delian League to beautify Athens.