Lesson 2: What role did Pericles play in the development of the Athenian Empire?

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will be able to describe the role of Greek men and women
• Students will be able to describe how Athens flourished under the rule of Pericles
• Students will be able to escribe the ways that Greeks developed the ideas of citizenship and democracy
• Students will be able to compare and contrast the meanings of citizenship and democracy in ancient Greece and in America today

Athenian Empire Grows Under Pericles

Pericles was a popular general during the Persian Wars. He was instrumental in helping Athens take over the Delian League. He also believed that citizenship should not be limited to the wealthy. His policies reflected that idea. He led Athens through a great period of cultural and political growth for about 30 years.

As a leader in government, Pericles:

• He demanded strict loyalty from other city-states
• He demanded payments from city-states
• He forced other city-states to use Athenian money
• He allowed lower class male citizens to run for public office
• He paid public officials

Pericles also focused on developing Athenian culture.

• He built new temples and statues
• He supported artists and writers
• He was responsible for building the Parthenon
• He wanted Athens to be a model for not only all of Greece, but the world

Click the link below to learn more about Pericles' rule of Athens

Activity

• Choose 1-2 accomplishments by Pericles
• Write 2-3 paragraphs
  • Describe how that accomplishment affected Athens society
  • Describe how did that accomplishment affect they way citizens responded to Pericles

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Lesson 3: What effect did the Peloponnesian War have on the Athenian Empire?

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It's All Greek To Me!