Pericles' Funeral Oration

Pericles’ Funeral Oration was a significant timestamp in 5th century Greece, Athens and to the Classical World. In the Funeral Oration, he discusses subjects such as the superiority of the Athenian compared to other civilisations. Pericles also expresses his views on the reputation of Athens while undermining Homer, and emphasizes his view on the role of the wives of fallen soldiers in the first year of the Peloponnesian war. The first recording known in history of his speech was written by Thucydides in his book ‘The Peloponnesian Wars’ as a statement on the values and characteristics of Athens. His speeches purpose was to show the people of Athens how great they were and much greater they could become. His wordings in the speech showed the classical world that Athens had no faults and was so great that no state could be compare to it, it made Athens as the centre of the world.

Equality plays a very important role on the keeping the function and peace of every democracy, in his speech Pericles mentions how Athens’ concept of isonomia helped to stop the people from getting jealous or mad with the actions of each citizen. “Our constitution does not copy the laws of the neighbouring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves”. This is how Pericles perceives Athens’ way of equality, Pericles’ views on creating equal citizenship between both the wealthy and the middle class folks of Athens were a revolution and this form of democracy is still in use today. A few examples on how Athens displays their isonomia was by paying people for performing jury duty, this meant that the poor was now able to go and vote for what they want and at the same time be paid to do so. The Ekklesiasterion was a meeting place for ...

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...Oration’ was one of the great wonders of the classical world. In this speech he spoke of many matters such as the isnomia which helped to provide the peace and harmony within Athens’ wealthy and poor citizens then secondly the greatness of Athens history proving not to need Homer as their scribe and that they could still be remembered for their deeds and finally the importance of the deceased soldiers’ statuses compared to the widowed women’s. The purpose of this speech was to convince not only the Athenians, the surrounding states but also the classical world of Athens’ greatness. The oration was a persuasive text showing no wrong in Athens but only its greatness and strength with battle in the oceans and with providing peace and justice. Pericles’ funeral oration showed only Athens best and nothing else convincing and letting everyone know only of a great Athens.