Pericles

Pericles was born around 495 BCE into the Alcmaeonid family, one of Athens's most prominent and controversial aristocratic clans. His mother was the niece of Cleisthenes, the reformer who had established Athenian democracy a generation earlier. Pericles was educated by the finest minds of his age, the philosopher Anaxagoras, the musician Damon, and entered politics young. For over thirty years, from roughly 461 to 429 BCE, he dominated Athenian public life, elected strategos (general) year after year by citizens who trusted his judgment. Under his leadership, Athens transformed the Delian League, a defensive alliance against Persia, into an empire that funded the golden age. He used the tribute to rebuild the Acropolis, commissioning the Parthenon under his friend Phidias, creating monuments that declared Athens the school of Greece. He expanded citizenship pay so that poor Athenians could serve on juries and in the Assembly.

Pericles is best known as a ruler. Athenian statesman who led Athens’ golden age, expanded democracy, and sponsored the Parthenon building program.

Pericles lived c. 495-429 BCE, born in -495 and died in -429, during the classical period.

Yes, free. Anyone can ask Pericles, and a first question needs no account. Every answer is a Simulation in character, grounded in Pericles’s real life, work and era. A good first question is: "How do I get more people to participate in civic life instead of staying home?"