Pericles devoted his life to managing the democratic politics of slave owners and expanding the power of Athens. He promoted the economic, political, military and cultural prosperity of slavery in Athens and occupied a more important position in history. The pan-Greek cause he advocated and the activities of establishing Athenian hegemony were blackmail and oppression to the allies, but they were also conducive to the economic development and political unity of the Greek world. However, at that time, the historical conditions for realizing the political unification of the Greek world were not yet mature, and it was difficult to complete the great cause of reunification by taking Athens as the strength of the polis and maintaining the original polis system. After his death, Athens lost its strong leadership. After a long and repeated contest, it was finally defeated by the joint forces of Sparta and Persia.
With the end of the Persian War and the establishment of the hegemony of Athens, the war in the Aegean Sea basically ended, rampant piracy was curbed, merchant ships passed unimpeded, Pericles forced the allies to use Athens' silver coins and weights and measures, and the slavery economy of Athens and its allies became more developed. Pericles invited Miletus architect Hippo Dammous to design and build Piraeus Port in a unified way, which was completely new. Athens has established extensive commercial ties with Thrace, covering the Black Sea, western Asia Minor, eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and western Mediterranean, and is famous for its metallurgy, shipbuilding, ordnance, leather making and construction. Agriculture in Athens also participated in the monetary economy. Grapes and olives are planted in large quantities and then made into wine and oil for export, while about two-thirds of local residents rely on imports for food consumption. Due to the complete control of the federal treasury, Athens' fiscal revenue soared. Rich fiscal revenue provides a solid economic foundation for democratic politics. During the reign of Pericles, Athens received 20,000 official salaries or allowances from the state every year for holding public office and military service, accounting for more than one third of the total number of adult male citizens.
Pericles is not only a politician and strategist, but also an admirer and advocate of Greek classical culture. His ideal and ambition is to make Athens not only the overlord of the Greek world, but also the "school of all Greece". Pericles's era was an era of high prosperity of Greek classical culture. Famous scholars, scholars and artists from the Greek world gathered in Athens and around Pericles to give lectures, seek truth, goodness and beauty, and explore the mysteries of the universe and the true meaning of life. Anaxagoras, an outstanding philosopher, Pheidias, a sculptor and Sophocles, a tragic figure, followed closely. Pericles's wife, Aspa Sia of Miletus, was highly praised by Socrates for her outstanding talent and wisdom. Many philosophers and artists have become her guests, and many Athenians and even some women have come to ask her for advice. Pericles presided over drama performances when he was young. During his administration, he took measures such as giving drama subsidies to poor citizens, holding festival music competitions and building concert halls. Since 447 BC, Pericles has built the Acropolis on a large scale. He used the Alliance Treasury to store and successively build the Parthenon, the main entrance of the Acropolis, the hephaestus Temple, the Sunion Sea Temple and the Erecht Hyon Temple, as well as various exquisite and immortal plastic arts masterpieces attached to these buildings. Pericles made outstanding contributions to the development of Greek classical culture. His cultural policy is closely linked with his political, economic and foreign policies. Whether building public works or holding festival performances, the purpose is to consolidate democratic politics, improve the material and cultural life of citizens, promote the development of industry and commerce, and establish the glorious image of Athens, so as to attract the admiration and yearning of Greek States.
Main remarks
A * * * in Athens to commemorate the dead war hero, Perikles delivered a speech:
"Our country is called democracy because the decision-making power is not held by a few people, but by all the people. When private disputes occur, everyone is equal before the law. Just as our political life is free and open, so is the relationship between people in our daily life ... Here, everyone is not only interested in their own private affairs, but also in the whole society. "
World history-quoted from junior high school history textbooks;
The gate of our city is open to the world. ..... Wealth is not only conceited capital for us, but also an opportunity to achieve something. We are not ashamed to admit poverty, but if we don't work hard to overcome it, it will really be depraved.
Reform content
(1) Expand the scope of citizens' participation in politics: except for the ten generals, all official positions are open to male citizens at all levels, and consuls are selected by lottery;
(2) Reforming the Civic Assembly: The Civic Assembly is the highest decision-making organ of the country and is responsible for major affairs such as internal affairs and foreign affairs. All male citizens who have reached the age of 20 can participate and enjoy the right to speak and vote;
(3) Reform the membership and licensing rights of the 500-member conference: 50 members of the 500-member conference will select 50 members from the 10 tribe by drawing lots, and take turns to govern in groups and be responsible for convening the citizens' meeting and other matters;
(4) Improve the decision-making power and status of the jury court: the jury court is the highest judicial and supervisory organ in the country, and consists of 10 tribes selected from male citizens over 30 years old, with 600 people in each tribe;
(5) Expand the decision-making power of the Committee of Ten Generals: the highest * * * official, ten generals, shall be elected by the citizens' assembly by a show of hands; 10. The General Committee commands the army and participates in politics, and the general is in charge of the state's military and political power;
(6) Formulating the system of "official allowance": paying salaries and allowances to citizens who participate in politics;
(7) Encourage citizens to receive political education and cultural edification, and issue "theater allowance" to citizens.
give a lecture
We are glad to have such a system. We don't envy the laws of neighboring countries, because our regime is a model of other countries and an original creation of Athens. Our regime is called democracy. Not for a few people, but for all the people. Regardless of ability, everyone enjoys universal equality guaranteed by law and enjoys fame when making outstanding achievements. The right to hold public office does not belong to any family, but to sages. Poverty is not an obstacle. People who have the ability to serve their country will not be hindered by their humble status. We can move from one location to another without hindrance; We enjoy intimate daily life without scruple; We don't worry about our neighbors going their own way, and we don't show surprise-it hurts, but it doesn't help. In this way, on the one hand, we associate with people freely and in good faith, on the other hand, we dare not violate the public interest for any reason, because we obey the courts and laws, especially those that protect the victims, and those unwritten but violated are shameful. In addition, in order to cultivate physical and mental health, China laws also stipulate very frequent holidays. Games and sacrifices go on all year round. At that time, it will be beautiful and spectacular, and the joyful atmosphere will dispel the melancholy.
Our Athens is so great that all the products in the room are gathered here. These exquisite products, like domestic products, brought the Athenians the pleasure they once thought. We are also superior to the enemy in military policy. Our policy is completely different from that of the enemy. Athens opened its doors to the world. We don't worry that the enemy will see the secrets that are never hidden, which will cause us losses, and we will never use this as an excuse to expel foreigners who come to seek progress and curiosity. Comparatively speaking, we don't rely too much on combat readiness and strategy, but trust the patriotic enthusiasm and actions of the people. In terms of education, people in some countries have to undergo harsh training since childhood in order to endure hardships as adults; Although we Athenians live a mild life, we can face any danger of war as bravely as they do. In the way of life, we are elegant and simple, that is, we practice philosophy without weakening our thinking. We show our wealth through charity rather than boasting. It is not shameful to admit poverty, but it is indeed shameful to be unable to get rid of poverty. We care about both personal affairs and national affairs; Even people with busy lives have enough ability to participate in politics. Because only the Athenians think that not participating in state affairs is a mediocre generation, not just a lazy generation. We can make the most accurate judgment and are good at catching hidden dangers of things. We don't think that words will hinder actions, but that we should not act rashly without debate and full preparation. This is the unique advantage of the Athenians: we are full of courage when we act, but we have to debate the advantages and disadvantages of various measures before we act. Some people's courage comes from ignorance, but they become cowards after careful consideration. There is no doubt that those who are well aware of the disaster of war and the sweetness of peace, so that they can be fearless in times of crisis, can be called the greatest souls.
We are also different from many countries in doing good. We maintain our friendship not by accepting promises, but by taking obligations. According to the common sense of gratitude, the giver has an advantage over the beneficiary; The latter has to play a boring role because he owes the former. He thinks the reward is just a reward, not an obligation. Only the Athenians were extremely charitable, but not out of self-interest, but purely generous. To sum up, I just want to add that Athens is a Greek school in general, and each of us has perfect qualities, is competent in all aspects of boiling life, and has the most elegant words and deeds and the fastest work style. As for you survivors, you can pray for a better fate, but you should also take it as your duty to maintain this heroic spirit against the enemy. Don't judge the pros and cons of this just by rhetoric. Because everyone who talks big can tell the well-known truth and the benefits of bravely resisting the enemy. You should keep in mind the growth scene of the motherland and be fascinated by it. When you really realize the greatness of Athens, ask yourself again that the greatness of Athens was created by soldiers who were determined, deeply loyal and always had a sense of honor in the battle. But their efforts can't succeed, and they need to serve the motherland with dauntless spirit. They didn't think it was a shame, so they made the highest contribution. So they died for their country. Every one of them will be immortal. Their mausoleum will shine forever, because it is not only a tomb for burying heroes, but also a monument engraved with their names. Whenever we talk about honor or actual honor, people will also mention them. They are immortal.