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Pericles’ “Funeral Oration” is one of the world’s greatest and most influential speeches that may still relate to society and governments. Delivered in 431 B.C., which was the first year of the Peloponnesian War, this speech praises Athenians’ sacrifices, comforts parents, brothers, and sons of the warriors deceased with honor, and inspires other citizens to be proud of their city and keep fighting for it. Among this central purpose of Pericles’ oration, the politician also discusses the unique qualities of Athenians and redefines a number of traditional Greek virtues.
To begin with, Pericles stated that the main strength of his fellow citizens was the ability to choose to strive to enhance the well-being of the city instead of increasing one’s own wealth. To evoke virtue and happiness, or arête and eudaimonia, Athenians needed to be connected by bonds of mutual trust, share a common desire for freedom, and willingness to face danger and die with a light heart. What is more, true happiness may be achieved by serving the state not because of being obliged but due to Athenians’ eternal respect for ancestors and love for their city and its people. According to Pericles’ speech, this greatness was available to everyone in Athens since its citizens were all noble, glorious, devoted, and capable of great deeds not for the sake of gaining privileges but for the prosperity of the whole city.
The Parthenon, a great temple built under Perikles’ supervision in the fifth century B.C., represented the virtues the politician celebrated in his “Funeral Oration.” Since it was dedicated to the goddess Athena, the temple symbolized Athenian wealth, power, greatness, and elevated culture. What is more, the Parthenon represented the cultural and political preeminence of Athens in Greece, which was also the aim of its citizens and the way they could achieve happiness and virtue.
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