6TH INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL CURRENT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CONGRESS
ATHENIAN STRATEGIST “OLYMPIAN” PERIGLES
Yazarlar:
MEHDİYEVA Ayten Ali kızı
Yayıncı:
Liberty Publications
The activities of Pericles, one of the important historical figures of ancient civilization, which the ancient author Plutarch called “Olympian”, are of great interest even today. This name meant “surrounded by Glory”. Despite the fact that he was a descendant of an aristocratic family, he considered it correct to rule the state by democratic rules. The reforms implemented by Pericles had a great role in the formation of the democratic police of Athens.One of the achievements of Pericles is considered to be the strengthening of the power of Athens, the achievement of a high level of its economic, social, political and cultural development. The period of his reign entered the history of Athens as the “Era of Pericles”. Ancient authors Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle and Plutarch treated his personality, political activities, reforms, especially his speeches from different angles, giving different assessments. Pericles, who joined politics, established himself as a supporter of democracy. From the 60s of the 5th century B.C., his struggle with the well – known politician Kimon continued for many years. After Ephialtes, Pericles became the leader of the Democrats in Athens. One of the directions of Pericles` foreign policy was the aggravation of relations with the Spartan state. The constant strife with Thucydides ended with the victory of Pericles. Having achieved the expulsion of his political opponents, Pericles became the de facto head of the Athenian police and was elected a strategist for 15 years. As a result of the intervention of Pericles, after the end of the Second Holy War, Athens had the chance to become the main religious center of Greece. But the Spartans had thwarted his plan. Instead, Pericles was able to create a single complex, starting the restoration of the Athenian temples. A special place in the foreign policy course of Pericles was occupied by the founding of the colony of Furia in southern Italy. As results of this policy, Athens was to gain a foothold in Sicily as well. One of the important issues in Athens` foreign policy was related to the Samos war. The actions personally carried out by Pericles resulted in the expulsion of the oligarchs from power in Samos, the loss of their privileges and their subordination to the Athenian Alliance. The organization of the Pontic expedition can be mentioned as one of the actions implemented by Pericles in his foreign policy. According to Plutarch, as a result of the expedition, new members were admitted to the Athenian Union, new outposts were established, and wheat imports were completely controlled. Thus, analyzing the period of Pericles` strategy, one should not forget about one more issue. The concentration of power in the hands of a strong historical figure was not continued after his death. Athens was on the verge of serious events.
