How did Pericles change the government of Athens?
Answer (3)
Pericles was an influential person during the Peloponnesian War, (Athens' war with its archrival Sparta). He rose to power from being in the law courts, and was successful in banishing his political enemies, by means of ostracism. Ostracism was a way for an Athenian to practice democracy, aside from electing leaders. However, it also meant the banishment of someone out of Athens. Without his rivals, he was one of the most powerful men in all of Athens, and took charge over the Athenian navy and army. Pericles also passed some laws to gain support from the masses, such as free theater plays for the poor, the rebuilding of Athens due to the war, and a law that made jury service something to be paid for. This impressed Athens' allies, and turned the Delian League (Athens and its allies) a powerful force in Greece, in some sort of empire.
Pericles significantly changed the government of Athens during its Golden Age, consolidating it into a democracy. He introduced pay for public office and established a law requiring both parents to be Athenian for citizenship, promoting equality and community unity. ;
Pericles transformed Athenian government by expanding democracy to include poorer citizens in public office and jury duty, shifting judicial power to larger citizen juries, and implementing financial reforms that supported civic participation. His leadership during the Golden Age of Athens fostered a culture of direct democracy and public engagement with policies that provided for the welfare of all citizens. Ultimately, these reforms solidified Athens as a pioneering democracy in the ancient world.
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