Pericles is known to have been a great Athenian statesman, perhaps the greatest, but Thucydides claimed he may actually not have been very favorable for democracy.
The first emergence of democracy in history arguably occurred in Athens in the sixth century BC. Despite being celebrated by historians around the world, Athenian democracy was far from perfect. It was also once threatened by the existence of a powerful ruling figure—Pericles.
Pericles and democratic Athens
According to the ancient Greek historian Thucydides, Pericles was a dangerous leader, masked by his unparalleled persuasion and widespread popularity.
In an era when most parts of the world lived under rigid hierarchical systems and monarchical society with centralized power, the city of Athens employed democracy. People supposedly had a voice and a say in public affairs.
Women, children, and slaves, however, were considered second-class citizens and not permitted to partake in governmental voting or democratic processes. Individuals recognized as Athenian citizens had the opportunity to vote regardless of their wealth or social status.
Democracy tends to work well when a nation or society has strong institutions, relatively educated citizens, and an intelligent, capable leader. Without doubt, Pericles helped shape democracy in Athens by motivating people to follow glory and honor with his remarkable rhetorical skills.
Thucydides first introduces Pericles in Book 1, Chapter 5 of his History of the Peloponnesian War as a man “wielding greatest influence both in speech and in action” and, of course, both military prowess and oration skills. These made the Athenian an unforgettable figure in Greek history. He led the population to glory and was greatly influential over the council.
Pericles’ re-elections are likely due to his numerous military victories, but the bloody events also had their impact on Athenian democracy. His instances of success on the battlefield cloaked him in god-like charisma with unmatched power, and he was widely trusted by the public. Merely through his words, he could sway public opinion in going to war.
Pericles’ influential oratory skills
Pericles was undoubtedly an influential statesman, but many historians claim his persuasive oratory was not necessarily a positive thing for Athenian democracy. In fact, there have been claims his rhetorical skills might have even undermined it.
It has been argued that Pericles’ charm and charisma could sway public opinion to such an extent as to possibly negate Athenian democracy. Despite encouragement of citizens to actively participate in discussions on public affairs, the inexperienced and young tended to be impressionable. They could have easily felt self-conscious about their choices in public and would have thus mindlessly adopted Pericles’ narrative without questioning it.
Uniform, herd-like thinking and a lack of questioning of authority can bring about unfavorable conditions where democracy cannot thrive. Instead, these can form the basis for a dictatorship.
Some historians believe Pericles took advantage of his revered position to dominate public discussions, limiting the ability of others to express their views. Worse still, he could have silenced concerns about decisions meant to be collaboratively made.
Thucydides on Pericles
In all three essential Pericles speeches documented by Thucydides, the statesman alone convinced those at the assembly to follow his own beliefs and act accordingly. The first speech related to the declaration of war. The second was about the funeral oration, which compelled Athenians to engage in continuous conflict with the Spartans. Lastly, the third encouraged citizens to endure their circumstances amid the plague.
The essence of democracy is the voice of the many, but as Thucydides concluded in his final panegyrics, “Athens, though in a name of democracy, gradually became in fact a government ruled by its foremost citizens.” He noted the reality of the situation, which was that Pericles’ socio-political influence brainwashed the population and inevitably belittled the integrity of Athenian democracy.
Thucydides also argued that rulers with military talents and oratory power are “the first of the Athenians.” He pointed out—in a sea of praise for Pericles—that the man may have actually been a dangerous dictator who abused his power and authority.
In his History of the Peloponnesian War, Thucydides seems to argue that the death of Pericles was a turning point in the history of Athens. He viewed Pericles’ reign as the dividing line between a community led by an elite and a self-governing city in the hands of demagogues.
Thucydides’ claims suggest Pericles created an elitist society that deliberately excluded many individuals from participating in democratic processes.
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