Pericles Funeral Oration Essay

The work of Thucydides, an Athenian historian and general of the 5th century B.C.E war between Athens and Sparta writes Pericles Funeral Oration and The Melian Dialogue which share similarities, but are also quite different.

In the funeral oration, the words given by Thucydides to the great leader Pericles is a message intended to illustrate Athenian supremacy. Pericles begins speaking to the people in hope to spark a fire inside the citizens of Athens who have become discouraged from war due to the grieving of the many men lost. Pericles praises the Athenians who have lived before them, and who, over the centuries, created a government that “does not copy our neighbors', but is an example to them.” He praises the Athenian lifestyle, noting that unlike other systems, there are both rewards for excellence and equal

The rich, he says, are not immune from punishment, and the poor citizens can prosper. He also says despite the fact that Athenians exert energy in public life, unlike the Spartans, they are still just as ready for battle. In comparison the funeral oration given by Pericles is very similar to the Melian Dialogue in sense of nationalism. In the funeral oration, Pericles,in what would usually be a mournful event, fills the air that the Athenians are the superior nation due to their vast variety of art, literature, theater, government, and war. As we see in the Melian Dialogue the Athenians carry the idea that they are superior to other city states like Melos. A quote from the Melian Dialogue by the Athenians states, “To you the gain will be that by submission you will avert the worst; and we shall be all the richer for your preservation”(93). Thus stating to the Melians that if they wish to join the Athenians life will be better than if they choose to go the other way and remain neutral.Furthermore, in both texts the Athenians are speaking of war. In the funeral oration they are speaking about how they must not grieve