Question

Read this quotation from Pericles’s Funeral Oration in ancient Athens.

It is true that we are called a democracy, because power is in the hands of the many and not the few . . . everyone is equal before the law; when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is chosen for public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as reward for his abilities. Neither is poverty an obstacle; a man may benefit his country whatever his social class. –Pericles’s Funeral Oration, 431 BCE

This quotation supports the idea that
the ability to govern should be a privilege.
few citizens have the skills for public service.
women and men should be equal under the law.
both the rich and the poor have the ability to serve.

Answer 1

Overall, this quotation supports the idea that "both the rich and the poor have the ability to serve", since during this time in Athens political participation was considered to be a great and necessary privilege.

Answer 2

Famous Pericles talk about democracy, which is a form for others. It does not matter if someone is rich or poor, they are all equal before the law, because the law is in the hands of many, not a few of them. Anyone in the position to serve, according to his ability, serves the whole community and contributes to it, that is a reward. This quotation supports idea that both the rich and the poor have the ability to serve.