Funeral Oration of Pericles (431 BCE) Commentary by Todd W. Ewing, Williams Baptist College

Context

The Great Peloponnesian War erupted in 431 bce as a result of the growing rivalry between the Athenian Empire and the Peloponnesian League. Originally, Athens and Sparta had been allies in the Persian Wars that culminated in the Battle of Plataea in 479 bce. The Greek offensive turned into an effort to liberate the Greek cities of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) from Persian rule. Sparta's abusive leadership under Pausanius, regent to the king, created friction with the freed city-states and eventually caused his recall. The Athenian high command received an invitation to assume leadership. At the island of Delos, the various city-states and Athens forged an alliance that granted the latter prominence because of its substantial fleet. Smaller cities provided financial contributions in lieu of actual forces. Later, when Naxos, one of the island members, attempted to leave the league, Athens destroyed the city and enforced the alliance. Eventually the members of the...