Pericles
Students have already heard Pericles' Funeral Oration in Thucydides. Now they learn about the man himself. Plutarch shows us Pericles' noble birth (his mother dreamed she gave birth to a lion), his incorruptible character, his eloquence and calm judgment. He led Athens during its golden age, building the Parthenon and making Athens "the school of Greece." But he also led Athens into the Peloponnesian War, and died during the plague that followed his own war strategy. His final words, according to Plutarch, were not about his military victories or building projects, but about never having caused any Athenian to put on mourning clothes because of him.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Recalls the omens of Pericles' birth: his mother dreamed of a lion
Cause & Consequence
Explains how Pericles led: not by flattery but by guiding the people to what was best
Meaning
Connects Pericles' life to the Funeral Oration they read in Thucydides
Evidence
Cites a specific passage or phrase from the text
Defense
Maintains or thoughtfully revises their position under challenge
How It Works
Your AI tutor will guide you through this text using the Socratic method. Instead of giving you answers, it asks questions that help you discover the meaning for yourself.
- 1.Read the text carefully
- 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
- 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
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