In what ways did Pericles advance the development Discussion 2 PDF

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In what ways did Pericles advance the development of democracy and in what ways did his actions lead to the eventual dissolution of democracy in ancient Athens?

In 479 BCE, during the raging Persian wars, all the Greek cities states from the Peloponnesus and Attica peninsulas, respectively Sparta, Athens, and other Greek cities states have decided to strengthen their alliances by forming the Delian League under the leadership of Athens head politician Pericles. Unfortunately, the Athenians took advantage of all other Greek states of the league while regarding them as subjects instead of partners[ CITATION Bra21 \l 1033 ]. However, in 471 BCE, one of the city states from the Island of Naxos tempted to withdraw from the Delian League which Athens severely reprimand them with military intervention[ CITATION Bra21 \l 1033 ].

During Athens’ Golden Age (479-431 BCE), Athens had experienced outstanding political and government reform from the powerful statesman of Athens Pericles, also called “The first Citizen of Athens” by the Greek Historian Thucydides, who had also contributed to the formation and subsistence of the Delian League. Meanwhile, Pericles was making the Delian League as an Athenian empire. Pericles, as an Aristocrat and democratic leader of Athens, had very huge penchant for the poor while involving into the government affairs. According to the historian Brand (n.d) Pericles declared: “It was no shame to be a poor man in Athens. Honor came not from wealth but through service to the city state. Even the poorest citizen could participate in government, and he was honor bound to do so.”...