What was the significance of Pericles funeral oration?

What was the significance of Pericles funeral oration?

The most important thing to remember about the Funeral Oration is that it is a speech, intended to persuade its listeners. Pericles praises Athens so that people will keep fighting; he praises the sacrifices of the dead so that others will imitate them.

What sort of civilization does Pericles describe in his funeral oration?

This piece is a funeral oratory, a speech written to honor fallen Athenian heroes at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War.

What are the limitations of using the funeral oration as a source of information about Athenian culture?

The problem with using The Funeral Oration as a source for Athenian Culture is that it is unreliable and is mostly opinion based. Even though Thucydides was a first-hand account of what happened at the time, like he said before some witnesses exaggerate details, making the source unreliable.

What chapter is Pericles funeral oration?

460/455-c. 399 BCE): Pericles’ Funeral Oration. from the Peloponnesian War (Book 2.34-46)

Which time period is funeral oration from?

“Pericles’ Funeral Oration”, as reported by Thucydides, is the earliest epitaphios presented in full. The burial of the war dead in the first year of the Peloponnesian War is regarded as reflecting the fifth-century dominance of the public co-memorial.

What was Pericles plan to win the war with Sparta?

The assembly responded by declaring war on Sparta. Pericles insisted that Athens would win the war by superior planning. To be successful the Athenians must abandon the surrounding land and retreat behind their impenetrable city walls.

What do Athens and Sparta represent?

In Ancient Greece there were two different major forms of government, oligarchy and democracy. The two city-states that best represent each form of government were Sparta (oligarchy) and Athens (democracy). Athens focused more on culture, while Sparta focused more on war.

Is there a funeral oration in ancient Athens?

Several funeral orations from classical Athens are extant, which seem to corroborate Thucydides ‘ assertion that this was a regular feature of Athenian funerary custom in wartime. The Funeral Oration was recorded by Thucydides in book two of his famous History of the Peloponnesian War.

What was the language of Thucydides funeral oration?

Language and translations. Thucydides’ Greek is notoriously difficult, but the language of Pericles Funeral Oration is considered by many to be the most difficult and virtuosic passage in the History of the Peloponnesian War.

Is the funeral oration part of the law?

Most of my predecessors in this place have commended him who made this speech part of the law, telling us that it is well that it should be delivered at the burial of those who fall in battle.

Who was there to wail at the burial?

Any citizen or stranger who pleases, joins in the procession: and the female relatives are there to wail at the burial.

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