pericles step five exercise
As you read Thucydides’ “epitaph” for Pericles, summarize the historian’s assessment of Pericles and his qualities as a leader. What does he think of the Athenian public? Are you surprised by his assessment? [30 minutes]
Knowing that Thucydides very likely made up some or all of the speeches delivered by Pericles in his History, to what extent do you think they serve to create a particular image of Pericles that is supports his opinion here? Can you think of instances in the earlier speeches where Pericles says something to support Thucydides’ assessment of him as a leader? [15 minutes]