Statue of Pericles — Attraction in Athens

Pericles (495 – 429 BC) was a prominent and influential Greek statesman, orator and general of Athens during the Golden Age when the arts, architecture, and philosoph, as well as Athens itself , reached new heights. Pericles' name means "surrounded by glory" and he would live up to his name through his efforts to make Athens the greatest of the Greek city-states. Pericles promoted the arts and literature, and it is principally through his efforts that Athens acquired the reputation of being the educational and cultural center of the ancient Greek world. He started an ambitious project that generated most of the surviving structures on the Acropolis, including the Parthenon.The most ambitious building program in Greek history, the building of the Parthenon was Pericles' greatest triumph and he oversaw the project personally. The historian Thucydides his contemporary and admirer, called him "the first citizen of Athens". The statue of Pericles is on the right side of the...

伯里克利（Pericles）生平与功绩

Pericles’ Life and Achievements

生平简介

Biography • 伯里克利（约公元前495年－公元前429年）是古雅典的政治家、演说家和将军，被认为是“雅典黄金时代”的主要领导人。 Pericles (c. 495 BCE – 429 BCE) was a statesman, orator, and general of Athens, regarded as the leading figure of the “Golden Age of Athens.” • 他出身于贵族阿尔克迈翁家族，受过良好的教育，深受哲学家阿那克萨戈拉（Anaxagoras）的思想影响。 He was born into the aristocratic Alcmaeonid family, received an excellent education, and was deeply influenced by the philosopher Anaxagoras.

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政治功绩

Political Achievements • 伯里克利长期担任雅典的首席将军（Strategos），几乎主导了雅典的公共事务。 Pericles served repeatedly as strategos (general), virtually dominating Athenian political life. • 他推行民主改革，扩大公民在政治中的参与权，允许贫穷公民领取“公职津贴”，从而能参加陪审团和议会。 He carried out democratic reforms, expanding citizens’ participation in politics, and introduced “state pay” for public offices, enabling poorer citizens to serve in juries and the Assembly. • 他主持修建了许多伟大的建筑工程，包括帕台农神庙（Parthenon），使雅典成为希腊文化与艺术的中心。 He oversaw grand construction projects, including the Parthenon, turning Athens into the cultural and artistic center of Greece. • 在他的领导下，雅典通过提洛同盟积聚财富和权力，发展成为当时最强大的海上霸权。 Under his leadership, Athens used the Delian League to accumulate wealth and power, becoming the greatest naval power of its time.

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战争与外交

Wars and Diplomacy • 伯里克利主张加强雅典海军，确保对爱琴海的控制。 Pericles advocated strengthening the Athenian navy to secure control over the Aegean Sea. • 在伯罗奔尼撒战争爆发初期，他采取“城墙战略”，避免与斯巴达陆军直接交战，而依靠雅典舰队保持补给。 At the beginning of the Peloponnesian War, he adopted a “wall strategy,” avoiding direct land battles with Sparta while relying on Athens’ fleet to maintain supplies.

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个人生活与婚姻

Personal Life and Marriage • 伯里克利早年娶了一位贵族女子，但后来与她离婚。 Pericles first married a noblewoman, but later divorced her. • 之后，他与阿斯帕西娅（Aspasia）成为伴侣，她是一位来自米利都的才女，以智慧与口才闻名，对雅典的知识与文化生活产生了巨大影响。 He later lived with Aspasia, an intelligent and eloquent woman from Miletus, who greatly influenced Athenian intellectual and cultural life.

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重要好友与思想影响

Important Friends and Intellectual Influence • 伯里克利的朋友圈包括哲学家阿那克萨戈拉（Anaxagoras）、雕刻家菲迪亚斯（Phidias）、历史学家希罗多德（Herodotus）等人。 Pericles’ circle included the philosopher Anaxagoras, the sculptor Phidias, and the historian Herodotus. • 这些朋友帮助塑造了雅典在哲学、艺术、历史等方面的辉煌成就。 These friends contributed to Athens’ remarkable achievements in philosophy, art, and history.

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去世与遗产

Death and Legacy • 公元前429年，伯里克利死于雅典瘟疫。 In 429 BCE, Pericles died during the plague in Athens. • 他留下的政治制度与文化遗产，使雅典成为民主制度和古典文明的象征。 He left behind a political system and cultural legacy that made Athens a symbol of democracy and classical...

I was en route to the archeological site of Plato's academy when I suddenly found the statue of Pericles. The greek statesman who beat the Persians. If you've watched the second 300 film, you would know what I'm talking about 😁 I love the fact when you're walking around Athens you get to see pieces of history, myth and legends. I was excited to see this statue because Pericles beat the Persians at the battle of Marathon and finally at the battle of Salamis. I'm happy I got to see this statue even though nobody seemed to really...