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Democracy is a rare thing. Even in ancient Athens, democrats constantly struggled to fend off tyrants and wealthy oligarchs seeking to terminate the rule of the people. One prominent ally of democracy in that struggle was the rhetorical genius Pericles.

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Transcript

Lead: Democracy is a rare thing. Even in ancient Athens, democrats constantly struggled to fend off tyrants and wealthy oligarchs seeking to terminate the rule of the people. One prominent ally of democracy in that struggle was the rhetorical genius Pericles.

Content: The Athenian democratic constitution was never really secure. After the legislator Solon opened the ranks of citizenship and participation by rich and poor alike, his work was overthrown in 560 BC, not to be revived until Cleisthenes reversed the tyranny in 508 and 507.

One of the most prominent and effective proponents of democracy in ancient Athens was Pericles. Born about 495 BC of prominent, wealthy and aristocratic parents, his education was traditional and awakened in him a love of philosophy, politics and rhetoric. When he emerged as a major player in the affairs of state is not known, but by 454 his rise secured for him appointment as one of ten generals elected each year by the Assembly. He occupied this office, which held political as well as military responsibilities, for most of the rest of his life.

Pericles' power--and that of all successful Athenian leaders--came from his extraordinary rhetorical abilities. He connected with the people by persuading them in the Assembly. He could never have instituted great political reforms, organized brilliant public works projects such as the Parthenon, or sent Athenian armies off to war with Sparta were it not for his ability to bend the public will to his own by his oratory. The ability to connect with the people by speaking remains one of the keys to effective democratic leadership into the modern era.

At the University of Richmond, I'm Dan Roberts.

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