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Thucydides - Pericles' Funeral Oration

Pericles used this as a time to illuminate the democracy, intellect and stability of Athens and it's citizens. He begins his speech by touching on the importance of their ancestors and how they are the foundation of Athens that their present generation grew from. Pericles strongly focuses on how the Athenians are leaders and the ultimate example for the other Greek city-states in multiple ways. The strength of the Athenian democracy is a major point that Pericles makes evident throughout the entire speech. He is proud that the Athenian government has it's own unique constitution. He points out that unlike many other city-states, they prioritize equality and do not discriminate against the poor or any other social standing. Pericles brags the ample traits of their military and innate strength that the Athenians are able to convey. They are natural fighters and don't have to spend all of their schooling learning how to be 'manly' (like Spartans). Pericles further emphasizes how Athens is completely unlike any other city. He goes on to talk about how not only do others learn from the example of their government, but their army tactics as well. According to his speech, the city acts as a school for the other Greeks. .
             Towards the end of his speech, Pericles talks about the glory of dying for Athens. His entire speech portraying the strength of Athens acts as validation leading up to the point of how honorable it is to fight and die as a hero for this city and how important it is that the youth should carry on this pride and find fallen as heroes and role-models. Pericles' oration convinces all of his listeners that Athens is truly the most powerful and glorious city in all of Greece. As he remarks in the quotation shown earlier, Pericles' strives for the people of Athens to have a love and devotion for their city. Once the Athenians realize how glorious Athens is, Pericles believes they will feel a sense duty to fight for the city.


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