Pericles

Pericles who lived from 495-429 BC was one of ancient Athens greatest leaders. He is said to have been first among the citizens of Athens for more than 40 years during its period of direct democracy. A populist leader Pericles had opposition such as Cimon ostracized while promoting the rights of the poor in Athens, who were the vast majority of citizens in Athens.

Pericles was one of the wealthiest men in Athens and on occasion made it a point to show others this fact for political gain. Such as when he sponsored a play depicting the triumphant victory at Salamis of Themistocles whom Pericles was a supporter.

Pericles set about making social changes in Athens that finally ended the aristocratic institutions of Athens which Solon had begun more than a hundred years before.

Pericles also began the process of turning Athens into an empire. Using the institutions of the Delian league he turn allies into subjects. Where once the other members of the Delian league gave military service in defense of Greece they now sent gold and silver instead.

To those who asked what this tribute was being spent on Pericles only responded that they should notice they were safe. With the money gained through tribute by the Delian league Pericles set about on a construction boom in Athens. In fact most of the surviving monuments on the acropolis in Athens were built during the rule of Pericles.

Pericles promoted the arts and literature setting the stage for Athens to become the cultural and educational center of the ancient Greek world.

Pericles is also held responsible for inciting the Peloponnesian war, which Athens lost to the Spartans almost 30 years later in 404BC.