WHO WANTS TO BE NEXT IN LINE? In the Greek words translated as I obey, it actually means that I allow myself to be convinced. For a man, there is perhaps always something a little shameful about obeying someone – as if being persuaded was something a warrior or hero would be embarrassed to find happening to him. The common goal of the Age of Pericles was to establish a nation built on freedom and beauty, but the methods by which to achieve such a democratic state were and continue to be as individual as the people residing in Greece. Pericles (493 BC – 429 BC) was a statesman from Athens, Greece during this era of political exploration and expansion. He caused Athenians to remain extremely proud of their city and, like all statesmen, his words had a hugely influential impact on democracy's appetite for progress. An example of such an oral masterpiece is the speech he delivered after the first battle against the opposing Greek city Sparta. This civil war in Greece had sowed chaos and aroused concern among the Athenians. Pericles' funeral oration was a reminder to them. The big speech was a pep rally aimed at reaffirming the original reason they were fighting; honor the noble soldiers who died while free and boldly ask the people to honor such remarkable men by following in their footsteps. The main purpose of this speech was to remind the Athenians why their loved ones had died in battle. with Sparta. Pericles wanted to instill national pride in the city as well as a taste for fighting for Athens and fighting for its daring. The speech reminds the Athenians of their greatness in that as warriors they had more reason to fight: they have more to lose because they live in freedom. Pericles was extremely proud of the nation in which he lived. His speeches were filled with motivation to bring justice to Athens by praising the people. He persuaded the people of Athens to join him in keeping faith in the maturity and development of the state. “Choosing to die in resistance, [Sparta] rather than live in submission, they fled only from dishonor, but met danger face to face; in a brief moment, at the height of their fortune, they escaped fear and embraced their glory. Funeral oration of Pericles. With this attitude, Pericles implied that this was the path to a bright future..