Cyber Day Assignment Day One

   Pericles was a man who lived from 495-425 B.C. He came from a rich and high-ranking noble family. Pericles was a skillful politician, inspiring speaker, and a respected general. He ruled from 461-429 B.C. and led Athens during much of its golden age. In fact, the time of Pericles' rule is often called "The Age of Pericles." His three main goals were to strengthen Athenian democracy, to hold and strengthen the empire, and to glorify Athens. One of the things that Pericles did to strengthen Athenian democracy was increase the number of public officials who were paid salaries. This way, even the poorest citizen could serve if elected or chosen by lot. By doing this, Athens had more citizens engaged in self-government than any other Greek city-state. Athens became one of the most democratic governments in history. For Pericles/Periclean Athens, direct democracy was an important legacy. Direct democracy is a form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives. Male citizens in Athens who served in the assembly established all the important government policies that affected the polis. Athens also formed a Delian League after being defeated by the Persians. Eventually, Athens took control of all the city-states in the Delian League. The might of the Athenian army allowed Pericles to treat people in the Delian League as part of the empire. Pericles used the money from the Delian League's treasury to (1) make the Athenian navy the strongest navy in the Mediterranean, and to (2) beautify Athens.