Who Wants To Be Next In Line

Essay, Research Paper

WHO WANTS TO BE NEXT IN LINE.

In Greek words translated as I obey actually mean I get myself persuaded. For a man there is perhaps always something a little shameful about obeying someone as if allowing yourself to be persuaded is a thing a warrior or hero would be embarrassed to find himself happening to him. The common goal of the Periclean Age was to establish a nation that was built on freedom and beauty, however the methods by which to achieve such a democratic state were and continue to be as individual as the people residing in Greece.

Pericles (493 BC 429 BC) was a statesman of Athens, Greece during this time of political exploration and expansion. He led the Athenians to remain extremely proud of their city and like all statesmen his words had an extremely influential impact on the appetite for progress of the democracy. An example of such an oral masterpiece is the address he made after the first battle with opposing Grecian city Sparta. This civil war in Greece had created chaos and sparked worry in the Athenians. Pericles Funeral Oration was a reminder to them. The great speech was a pep-rally to restate the original reason for which they were fighting; to honor the noble soldiers that died while they were free and to boldly request the people honor such fine men by following in their footsteps.

It was the main purpose of this speech, to remind Athenians what their loved ones had been dying for in the battles with Sparta. Pericles wanted to instill national pride in the city along with a zest to fight for Athens and fight for her boldy. The oration reminds Athenians of their greatness because of the fact that they, as warriors, had more to fight for: they have more to lose because they live in freedom.

Pericles was extremely proud of the nation that he lived in. His speeches were filled with motivation to instill justice in Athens by praising the people. He persuaded the people of Athens to join him by keeping faith in the maturiy and development of the state.

Choosing to die resisting, [Sparta] rather than to live submitting, they fled only from

dishonor, but met danger face to face; in one brief moment, while at the summit of their fortune, they escaped from fear and embraced their glory. Pericles Funeral Oration.

With this attitude, Pericles made it conceivable that this was the way towards a bright future. He was a man full of ambition for the city and the city s people. City funds were dealt out to aid in preserving Athens beauty and creativity through art. He sought to attain a great army and standard of living for Athens without the harsh everyday training found in the city of Sparta.

Thus we have the advantage of not suffering in preparation for future pain. Pericles Funeral Oration.

The Spartan way may have been more single-minded than the Athenians however. It may have been their complete dedication to one goal that awarded them their victory in the long run. One might argue, though, that there are more important things for a human mind to expand on than battle and power and money.

Well I know, we can t defile the gods no, reverend old Tiresias, all men fall, it s only human, but the wisest fall obscenely when they glorify obscene advice with rhetoric all for their own gain .You and the hole breed of seers are mad for money! (Sophocles Antigone 1156 1171). That is the argument that may have made the Athenians less powerful as strict warriors. Athenians, under the persuasion of Pericles, were able to appreciate art and poetry. They were also not just allowed, but required to make an appearance and have a say in future plans for the city and they also had an allowance for a private life time to appreciate, love, make friends and have hobbies. Sparta was ruled in a much more communist way. The community was forced together in a simple plan. Their approach to problems was much less indirect. They trained at an early age for battle without an option to be their own private individual. Courage was something that was instilled by this training. And it is probably right to assume that complete dedication to anything would win mastery of what was practiced. Sparta went on to defeat Athens in many battles and though Pericles aroused the spirit of a free and democratic nation, his legacy was short-lived after such powerful words were spoken. He died in a plague, two short years after he gave his famous oration.

A lot like Pericles was Creon, the uncle to ill-fated Antigone in the play by Sophocles, Antigone. The story of these two that represents a vague imitation of the political uprising previously explained between Periclean Athens and Sparta. Perhaps it s ironic, then, that the play Antigone was performed in 442 B.C. and the war began eleven years later! Creon sides with Pericles statesmanship though he s a literal tyrant of the city of Athens and his trouble curbing his pride almost led to complete self-destruction as well as destruction of the city. He protected and led the city of Thebes to a higher understanding. Whatever he thought best for the city, he was determined to provide for the city just like any leader making the laws. He compares himself to a captain who would stick to his course even if it were wrong.

My countrymen, the ship of state is safe Remember this: our country is our safety. Only while she voyages true on