Final answer:
The Golden Age of Pericles is best characterized by the increased political participation of most adult males and the flourishing of culture and democracy in Athens.
b is correct
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that BEST describes the Golden Age of Pericles is that most adult males gained an equal political voice. This period, known as the Age of Pericles, was characterized by the expansion of democracy and cultural achievements in Athens. Under Pericles, reforms like allowing thetes to occupy public office and creating the misthophoria—which paid citizens for attending courts as jurors—enabled broader civic participation and helped reduce corruption.
The wealth and resources obtained through Athens' empire funded significant cultural and artistic endeavors, including the construction of the Parthenon and groundbreaking work in drama, literature, and philosophy. This era saw a flourishing of public life and the arts with lasting impacts on Western civilization.