. The Library of historic characters and famous events of all nations. culptor Phidias. Amid thisconstellation the genius of Pericles still shines conspicuous. Pericles was the son of Xanthippus, who defeated the Per-sians at Mycale in 479 By his mother, Agariste, he wasconnected with the princely line of Sicyon, and other noblefamilies. The precise date of his birth is unknown. Periclesreceived the best education the times could supply, amonghis teachers being Damon, Zeno of Elea, and the subtle andprofound Anaxagoras. Plutarch declares that Anaxagorasgave him that force and sublimity of
. The Library of historic characters and famous events of all nations. culptor Phidias. Amid thisconstellation the genius of Pericles still shines conspicuous. Pericles was the son of Xanthippus, who defeated the Per-sians at Mycale in 479 By his mother, Agariste, he wasconnected with the princely line of Sicyon, and other noblefamilies. The precise date of his birth is unknown. Periclesreceived the best education the times could supply, amonghis teachers being Damon, Zeno of Elea, and the subtle andprofound Anaxagoras. Plutarch declares that Anaxagorasgave him that force and sublimity of sentiment superior toall the demagogues, and formed him to that admirable dig-nity of manners and unruffled serenity which marked hischaracter amid all the storms of political life, and w^on for himthe surname of Olympian Zeus. Pericles began his career about 470 as leader of thedemocratic, or progressive party, v/hen Cimon was the leaderof the aristocratic, or conservative party. His wealth, hisnoble birth, his powerful friends, his grand manner, and even 109. no HISTORIC CHARACTERS AND FAMOUS EVENTS. his personal resemblance to the tyrant Pisistratus, might haveseemed to indicate that his natural place was on the otherside; while the blunt, jovial, rough and ready Cimon, thoughof equally noble birth, seemed better fitted to be the leader ofthe popular party. Yet every action of the career of Periclesattests the sincerity of his convictions and the ardor of hispatriotism. Adorning his orations, says Plutarch, withthe rich colors of philosophy, adding the loftiness of imagina-tion and all-commanding energy with which philosophy sup-plied him, to his native powers of genius, he far excelled allother leaders. Pericles introduced the practice of payingthe citizens liberally from public moneys for the performanceof public duties, thus not only overcoming the lavish outlaymade by the aristocratic party from their private resources,but enabling poorer citizens to give their tim
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidhistoricchar, bookyear1894
