Surrounded By Glory: Pericles Impact On Society

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Intro
Pericles meaning ‘Surrounded by Glory’, was an influential member and a credit to the society that he lived in during the classical period within ancient Athens. Pericles affected his society in a number of ways, politically, socially and economically. Pericles’ actions and motives were also shaped by the society that he lived in as Athens at the time of Pericles was a place of “aggressive, self-assertive competition” where “Greeks made a clear distinction between friends and enemies”. Pericles’ impact on his society can be seen through works and moments such as the pantheon and the democratic reforms of Athens..

Paragraph 1 (How did the individual's actions shape their society?)

Pericles’ actions shaped his society in a number of ways, socially economically and politically. …show more content…

Ethialtes, another well respected Athenian politician and Pericles, set out to reduce the power of the judiciary in the Areopagus. At this time Pericles also abolished the system whereby the archons were appointed by lot, only being chosen from a select number of pre-elected candidates. Pericles’ and Eltialtes reforms resulting in “appointed by lot from all the eligible citizens [who now] had an equal chance of holding political office, and taking part in the conduct of political affairs” This system was also extended to the Boule, also known as the Council of Five Hundred. Pericles also reformed the role of the Areopagus with the dismantlement of the hereditary powers of the Areopagus. Restricting its activities in order to redefine its role as little more than a “supreme

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