How Athenian Nature Is Delineated through Pericles' Funeral Oration

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In The History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides chronicles the events, battles, and democratic processes of the war between Athens and Sparta. Shortly after war broke out, Pericles delivered his funeral oration in honor of the courageous Athenians who already perished in battle. Through his funeral oration, Pericles reveals the true nature of Athenians. Ultimately, they were good natured since all the citizens of Athens willingly and dutifully served their country, and ultimately the common good; the structure of Athens and its government provided many outlets to do so. This relationship between the government and the people delineated itself as one of mutual reciprocity, seeing that the nature of Athenians directly correlated with the polis. Many Athenians served the common good by pursuing their own ends, whether this occurred through military service or achieving other personal goals that were beneficial to both the state and the people. In Athenian culture, the citizens of Athens possessed nothing but the utmost respect and honor for those who fought and provided aid for their country in a time of need, let alone war. This custom helped in motivating Athenians to eagerly serve their country.

The structure of the Athenian government contributed to the good nature of individual citizens. It was common for governments to demand personal sacrifice from their citizens in order for the benefit of the state. Athens takes a different approach to this matter, however. On page 145, Pericles mentions that "everyone is equal before the law... [and] what counts [in matters of government] is not membership of a particular class, but the actual ability which the man possesses." This freedom in private life makes Athenians ...

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...ens are also citizens of democracy. Thanks to Thucydides' meticulous minute of Pericles' funeral oration, this and the true nature of the Athenians are revealed. In The History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides chronicles not only the events, battles, and democratic processes of the war, but how citizens coped and responded to it. In his funeral oration honoring the courageous Athenians who already perished in battle, Pericles divulges the true nature and culture of Athens. Ultimately, they were good natured. The mutually reciprocal relationship between the government and the people delineated itself through the funeral oration, seeing that the nature of Athenians directly correlates with the polis. There was valid reason for the Athenian good nature, since all the citizens of Athens willingly and dutifully served their country and ultimately, the common good

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