Pericles’ funeral oration is often compared to the Gettysburg address, where in 1863 former US president Abraham Lincoln reflected on the greatness of a nation that owed much to the sacrifices of dead men. The much-remembered funeral oration of Pericles equally praises the unique character of Athens; Athens was set apart from the rest—the exception, exceptional. For he who grants a favor is a friend who is more secure in maintaining the friendship owed by the one to whom the favor was granted, for he who owes it is instead weaker, for he knows that he will return the favor not freely but as if it were a debt. Pericles delivered this speech in the year 431 BC. Pericles Funeral Oration was developed in order to promote Athens and its war heroes. On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered this speech amongst the American Civil War as a way to bring honor to … The speech was delivered by Pericles Pericles had a firm believe in his people and in their capabiltites to fight with any adversity. Everyone, according to our laws, has equal rights in particular disputes, while according to the reputation each one has in something, he is not esteemed for things in common more by turn than by his worth, nor in turn by his poverty, at least if he has something good to do for the benefit of the city, he is impeded by the darkness of his reputation. Statue of ancient Athens statesman Pericles. 1, Routledge, 2016. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. At any rate, Pericles eventually succumbed to and died from this plague. The same winter the Athenians, according to their ancient custom, solemnized a public funeral of the first slain in this war in this manner. This article was originally published in La Brújula Verde. It is not by chance that Churchill knew very well the work of Thucydides and Athenian prayer. Pericles' funeral oration was a speech written by Thucydides and delivered by Pericles for his history of the Peloponnesian War. The first is cunning. But what is more inspiring is the way Pericles delivered the speech in the Greek famous War. In this … SPEECH Pericles’ Funeral Oration Thucydides translated by Rex Warren About the Author Thucydides (approx. Photo: markara/Shutterstock.com. The goal that Pericles achieved through this speech was to make the people feel proud to be Athenians. He gave a speech in Athens, a public speech, honoring the many warriors who were killed in battle after the first year of the Peloponnesian War. c.490 BCE from Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War. In 431 BCE the Athenian statesman Pericles delivered one of the most influential speeches of all time, his Epitaphios or Funeral Oration. On that occasion, the person in charge of the prayer was Pericles, ruler and first citizen of Athens, who begins with modesty and praises not only the fallen, but also Athens itself, at a key moment in its history. The speech was delivered by Pericles at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BCE). Thus, Chief Justice Fuller was by no means writing on a clean slate when he referred to "equal and impartial justice under the law" in Caldwell v. Thucydides: Pericles' Funeral Oration Thucydides, Pericles' Funeral Oration Most of those who have spoken here before me have commended the lawgiver who added this oration to our other funeral customs. In his funeral oration of 431 BC, the Athenian leader Pericles discussed this concept. {{posts[0].commentsNum}} {{messages_comments}}, {{posts[1].commentsNum}} {{messages_comments}}, {{posts[2].commentsNum}} {{messages_comments}}, {{posts[3].commentsNum}} {{messages_comments}}, Anderson Shelters: The Backyard Bunkers That Saved Britons From Luftwaffe Bombings, Kitsault: The Ghost Town Where Lights Are Still On But No One’s Home, How Japanese Bamboo Helped Edison Make The Light Bulb, Shrek, The Sheep Who Escaped Shearing for 6 Years, Talakadu: The Temple City Devoured by Sand, Why Julius Caesar Built a Bridge Over The Rhine And Destroyed it 18 Days Later. Pericles uses his speech to calm anxious Athenians and sway them to support the war with Sparta. Leading up to this oration, the people of Athens, including those from the countryside whose land was being pillaged by their enemies, were kept in crowded conditions within the walls of Athens. Pericles praises the achievements of the fallen, but ignores the military victories of the past and focuses on highlighting how Athens got to the present moment, and the form of government they were so proud of, democracy. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. Pericles opens his celebrated speech by saying that he will not bother his people with the history of their city, which they knew too well, but is going to speak only about the morals that led to its success. Pericles delivered the oration not only to bury the dead but to praise democracy. Page 1 of 6 StudySync - Read - First Read: History of the Peloponnesian War: Pericles' Funeral Oration 5/7/20, 4:04 PM 3 "If we turn to our military policy, there also we differ from our antagonists. All Rights Reserved. Thucydides (c.460/455-c.399 BCE): Pericles' Funeral Oration from the Peloponnesian War (Book 2.34-46) This famous speech was given by the Athenian leader Pericles after the … In any case, the funeral oration of Pericles perfectly characterizes the moment and the spirit of that Athens, which he identifies as the land of the free and the home of the brave (like the American home of the brave ) that, after his death at the the following year, it would never regain its splendor. And also I feel that one should not leave to the will of one man alone to ponder virtues and praises of so many good warriors, and even less to give credit to what he says, whether he is a good orator or not, because it is very difficult to be moderate in praises, talking about things of which one can hardly have a firm and entire opinion about the truth. Democracy allows men to advance because of merit rather than wealth or inherited class. Republic vs. Democracy: What Is the Difference? He then goes on to highlight how Athenians are magnanimous towards others, generous in their help and confident in the validity of their institutions. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. Pericles' Funeral Oration by Philipp Foltz (1852) When the bodies had been buried, it was customary for some wise and prudent notable and chief person of the city, preeminent in honor and dignity, before all the people to make a prayer in praise of the dead, and after doing this, each one returned to his House. In these words we can trace Kennedy's inauguration speech: Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty. Finally Pericles ends with a short epilogue, reminding the audience of the difficulty of talking about the dead. Ancient Philosophy. Pericles' emphasis on sacrifice for freedom is echoed in the famous words, blood, toil, tears and sweat, from Winston Churchill to the British during World War II in his first speech as Prime Minister. John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address January 20, 1961. Thucydides (c.460/455-c.399 BCE): Pericles' Funeral Oration from the Peloponnesian War (Book 2.34-46) This famous speech was given by the Athenian leader Pericles after the first battles of the Peloponnesian war. Pericles’ Funeral Oration Why do we fight wars if they just cause death and sorrow. Pericles continues to highlight the equality of all citizens before justice (free citizens, it is understood) and the extension of these principles to foreign policy as well as the opening of the city to foreigners. Pericles' Funeral Oration is sometimes compared with Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. 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