Pericles (l. 495–429 BCE) was a prominent Greek statesman, orator, and general during the Golden Age of Athens. The period in which he led Athens, in fact, has been called the Age of Pericles due to his influence, not only on his city's fortunes, but on the whole of Greek history during the 5th century BCE and even after his death.
More about: Pericles7 days left
Server Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$12729 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 495 BCEBirth of Pericles.
-
470 BCEPericles enters politics.
-
463 BCEPericles leads a prosecution of Cimon on charges of corruption but he is acquitted.
-
462 BCE - 461 BCERadicalisation of democracy in Athens; Cimon exiled, Pericles comes to exercise influence.
-
c. 462 BCE - 458 BCEPericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
-
461 BCE - 429 BCEPericles is ruler of Athens.
-
460 BCE - 429 BCEThe Age of Pericles. Athenian Agora is rebuilt, construction of Parthenon.
-
454 BCEPericles leads his first military expedition in Sicyon and Acarnania.
-
453 BCEPericles erects trophy at Nemea after Athenian victory over the Sikyonians.
-
c. 450 BCEPericles oversees a significant rebuilding programme at Eleusis.
-
448 BCEPericles leads the Athenian forces in the Battle of Delphi.
-
447 BCEBarbarians are expelled from Gallipoli by Pericles' army.
-
28 Jul 447 BCEReconstruction and creation of the Acropolis of the Classical Period begins under Pericles' leadership.
-
440 BCEPericles leads the Athenian navy in the seige against Samos
-
431 BCEAthens invades Megara.
-
429 BCEThe death of Pericles from the plague.
-
c. 425 BCEKresilas sculpts the idealised portrait statue of Pericles which in antiquity was much copied as a bust.