The Good Book (95 page)

19. Pericles, also, was a student of Zeno, the Eleatic, who treated of natural philosophy in the same manner as Parmenides,

20. But had also perfected himself in an art of his own for refuting and silencing opponents in argument;

21. As Timon of Phlius describes it: ‘Also the two-edged tongue of mighty Zeno, who, say what one would, could argue it untrue.’

Chapter 29

  1. But Pericles’ main teacher in his youth, the man who furnished him most especially with a weight and grandeur of sense, superior to all arts of popularity,

  2. And in general gave him his elevation and sublimity of purpose and of character, was Anaxagoras of Clazomenae.

  3. This philosopher was called by the men of those times ‘Nous’, that is, mind, or intelligence,

  4. In admiration of the great and extraordinary gift he had displayed for the science of nature.

  5. Pericles entertained a great esteem for Anaxagoras, and filling himself with his lofty thought,

  6. Derived from it not merely elevation of purpose and dignity of language, raised far above the base and dishonest buffooneries of mob eloquence,

  7. But a composure of countenance, and a serenity and calmness in all his movements, which no occurrence while he was speaking could disturb;

  8. With a sustained and even tone of voice, and various other advantages of a similar kind, which produced a profound effect on his hearers.

  9. Once, after being abused all day long by some vile and abandoned fellow in the marketplace,

10. While he was engaged in the dispatch of some urgent affair, he continued his business in perfect silence,

11. And in the evening returned home composedly, the man still dogging him at the heels, and showering him all the way with abuse and foul language;

12. And when Pericles stepped into his house, it being by this time dark, he ordered one of his servants to take a light, and to go along with the man and see him safe home.

13. A contrary account of his character is given by Ion, the dramatic poet, who said that Pericles’ manner in company was somewhat pompous;

14. And that into his high-bearing there entered a good deal of disdain and scorn of others.

15. Ion reserved his commendation for Cimon’s ease and natural grace in society, as an admirer of that leader, so we cannot altogether rely on his opinion.

16. Zeno used to tell those who thought that Pericles’ gravity was an affectation, to go and affect the like themselves,

17. On the grounds that counterfeiting it might in time make them acquire a real love and knowledge of noble qualities.

18. Nor were these the only advantages that Pericles derived from Anaxagoras’ acquaintance;

19. He seems also to have become, by his instructions, superior to the folly that possesses the minds of people unacquainted with science,

20. Eager for silly explanations, and excitable through ignorance of nature.

21. Pericles, while still a young man, stood in considerable apprehension of the people,

22. Because he was thought to look very like the tyrant Pisistratus,

23. And those of great age remarked upon the sweetness of his voice, and his eloquence and rapidity in speaking,

24. And were struck with amazement at the resemblance to Pisistratus in this too.

25. Reflecting also that he was rich, and from a noble family with influential friends,

26. He thought all this might cause him to be banished as a dangerous person to the tranquillity of the state,

27. And therefore he avoided state affairs, but devoted himself intrepidly to military service.

28. But when Aristides died, and Themistocles had been driven out, and Cimon was for the most part kept abroad by military expeditions outside Greece,

29. Pericles, seeing things in this posture, stepped forward into public life, not on the side of the rich and few,

30. But with the many and poor, contrary to his natural bent, which was far from democratical.

31. Fearing that he might be suspected of aiming at arbitrary power, and seeing Cimon on the side of the aristocracy,

32. And much beloved by the better and more distinguished people, he joined the party of the people, with a view at once both to secure himself and to oppose Cimon.

Chapter 30

  1. Pericles immediately entered, also, on quite a new course of life and management of his time.

  2. For he was never seen to walk in any street but that which led to the marketplace and council hall,

  3. And he avoided invitations from friends to go to supper with them, and ceased all friendly visiting and intercourse whatever;

  4. In all the time he had to do with the public, which was not a little, he was never known to go to any of his friends for supper, except once when his near kinsman Euryptolemus married;

  5. And then he remained only until drinks were served, when he immediately rose from table and went home.

  6. For these friendly meetings are quick to undo any assumed superiority, and a grave exterior is hard to maintain in intimate familiarity.

  7. Real excellence, indeed, is most recognised when most openly looked into;

  8. And in really good men, nothing which meets the eyes of external observers so truly deserves their admiration,

  9. As their daily common life does that of their nearer friends.

10. Pericles, however, to avoid any feeling of commonness, or any satiety on the part of the people,

11. Presented himself at intervals only, not speaking on every business, nor at all times coming into the assembly,

12. But, as Critolaus says, reserving himself, like the Salaminian galley, for great occasions,

13. While matters of lesser importance were dispatched by friends or other speakers under his direction.

14. Among his lieutenants was Ephialtes, who broke the power of the council of Areopagus,

15. Giving the people, according to Plato’s expression, so copious and so strong a draught of liberty, that they grew wild and unruly as an unmanageable horse.

16. The style of speaking that best suited Pericles’ manner of life and the dignity of his views took its lead from what Anaxagoras had taught him.

17. Pericles continually deepened the colours of rhetoric with the dye of natural science.

18. For having added to his natural genius a great height of knowledge by the study of philosophy, he showed himself far superior to all others.

19. Upon which account, they say, Pericles had his nickname of ‘Olympian’ given him;

20. Though some are of the opinion he was named this from the public buildings with which he adorned the city;

21. And others again, from his great power in public affairs, whether of war or peace.

22. However, the comedies staged at the time, which, both in good earnest and in merriment, let fly many hard words at him,

23. Plainly show that he got that appellation especially from his speaking;

24. They speak of his ‘thundering and lightning’ when he harangued the people,

25. And of his wielding a dreadful thunderbolt in his tongue.

Chapter 31

  1. A saying also of Thucydides, son of Melesias, is on record, spoken by him by way of pleasantry upon Pericles’ dexterity.

  2. Thucydides was one of the noble and distinguished citizens, and had been his greatest opponent;

  3. And when Archidamus, the king of the Lacedaemonians, asked him whether he or Pericles was the better wrestler, he answered:

  4. ‘When I have thrown him and given him a fair fall, he gets the better of me by insisting that he had no fall, and makes the bystanders, in spite of their own eyes, believe him.’

  5. The truth is, however, that Pericles was so careful about what he said and how he spoke, that whenever he went up to the hustings,

  6. He took time to prepare beforehand so that no word might slip from him unawares that was unsuitable to the matter or occasion.

  7. Pericles has left nothing in writing behind him, except some decrees; and very few of his sayings are recorded.

  8. One is, that when his fellow-general Sophocles, going with him on board ship, praised the beauty of a youth they met on the way,

  9. Perciles said, ‘Sophocles, a general ought not only to have clean hands but also clean eyes.’

10. And Stesimbrotus tells us that, in his encomium on those who fell in battle at Samos, he said they would always be remembered,

11. ‘Because we do not see them themselves, but only by the honours we pay them, and by the benefits they do us;

12. ‘Such attributes belong to those who die in the service of their country.’

13. Since Thucydides describes the rule of Pericles as an aristocratical government that went by the name of democracy, but was, indeed, the supremacy of a single great man,

14. While many others say, on the contrary, that by him the common people were first encouraged and led on to such evils as appropriations of subject territory, allowances for attending theatres, payments for performing public duties,

15. And by these bad habits were, under the influence of his public measures, changed from a sober, thrifty people, that maintained themselves by their own labours,

16. To lovers of expense, intemperance and licence, let us examine the cause of this change by looking at the facts.

17. At the first, as has been said, when Pericles opposed Cimon’s great authority, he indeed courted the people.

18. Finding himself come short of Cimon in wealth, by which the latter was enabled to caress the poor,

19. Inviting every day some needy citizens to supper, giving clothes to aged people, and pulling down the hedges round his property so that anyone could freely gather what fruit they pleased,

20. Pericles, thus outdone in popular arts, took the advice of one Damonides of Oea and made a distribution of the public moneys;

21. And in a short time having bought the people over, what with moneys allowed for shows and for service on juries, and what with other forms of pay and largesse,

22. He made use of them against the council of Areopagus of which he himself was not a member, as having never been chosen archon, lawgiver, king or captain.

23. For from ancient times these offices were conferred on persons by lot, and those who had acquitted themselves in the discharge of them were promoted to the court of Areopagus.

Chapter 32

  1. And so Pericles, having secured his power with the populace, directed the exertions of his party against this council with such success,

  2. That most of the causes and matters which used to be tried there were, by the agency of Ephialtes, removed from its authority.

  3. Cimon, also, was banished by ostracism as a favourer of the Lacedaemonians and a hater of the people,

  4. Though in wealth and noble birth he was among the first of Athenians, and had won several glorious victories over the barbarians, filling the city with money and spoils of war; as is recorded in the history of his life.

  5. But his banishment proves the great influence that Pericles obtained among the people.

  6. The ostracism was limited by law to ten years; but the Lacedaemonians, in the meantime, entering with a great army into the territory of Tanagra, and the Athenians going out to fight against them,

  7. Cimon, coming from his banishment before his time was out, put himself in arms and array with those of his fellow-citizens that were of his own tribe,

  8. And desired by his deeds to wipe off the suspicion of his favouring the Lacedaemonians, by venturing his own person along with his countrymen.

  9. But Pericles’ friends, gathering in a body, forced him to retire as a banished man.

10. For which cause also Pericles seems to have exerted himself more in that than in any other battle, and to have been conspicuous for his exposure of himself to danger.

11. All Cimon’s friends, also, to a man, fell together side by side, whom Pericles had accused with him of taking part with the Lacedaemonians.

12. Defeated in this battle on their own frontiers, and expecting a new and perilous attack with the return of spring,

13. The Athenians now felt regret and sorrow for the loss of Cimon, and repentance for their expulsion of him.

14. Pericles, being sensible of their feelings, did not hesitate or delay to gratify it, and himself made the motion for recalling him home.

15. He, upon his return, concluded a peace betwixt the two cities;

16. For the Lacedaemonians entertained as kindly feelings towards him as they did the reverse towards Pericles and the other popular leaders.

17. Yet some say that Pericles did not propose the order for Cimon’s return till some private articles of agreement had been made between them, and this by means of Elpinice, Cimon’s sister: