The Delian League And Socrates: The Golden Age Of Pericles

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Page Karafotis
The Golden Age of Pericles

The golden age of pericles is the crowning time period of Athens, marked by sculpture, architecture, theatre, and philosophy. Athens lunged from obscurity towards the beginning of the Fifth century BC, developing strong military units known as Hoplites and beginning their navy development.Through cooperation with neighboring city states, Athens defeats the persian army and forms the Delian League. The Delian League’s goal was to rid the land of pirates and of any lingering persian forces. This marks the beginning of a fifty year long ‘golden’ age for Athens. Pericles, born in Cholarges, was the son of the politician Xanthippus had a quiet childhood. He was a shy child, preferring his studies over public appearances. His families wealth and connections allowed him to progress rapidly through his education. He studied music and philosophy and became friends with many contemporary philosophers of the time. Pericles is considered the first politician to place importance in philosophy and philosophical teachings. …show more content…

The purpose was to continue fighting the persian empire and to rid the seas of pirates. The Delian League’s name derives from the island of Delos, where the League’s meeting place and treasury lay. Soon after the original creation of the Delian League, Athens began it’s exploitation of the League’s resources and navy. Athen’s greedy behavior eventually escalated to the point where Athens moved the League’s treasury from the island of Delos to Athens itself! Pericles selfish actions brought wealth and prosperity to Athens, however other Greek City-states did not fare so well and eventually the Delian league was disbanded and the Peloponnesian war

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