Wiki Page, History of Theatre from Ancient Greece through the 17th Century: Pericles' Funeral Oration

Wiki Page
2016-09-12T12:47:39-06:00

First, visit this page and read to discover the background of Pericles' famous speech.

Next, read the excerpt of the speech below.

"We are a democracy because the power to make the laws is given to the many rather than the few. But while the law gives equal justice to everyone, it has not failed to reward excellence. While every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward our most distinguished [best] citizens by asking them to make our political decisions. We do not discriminate against the poor. A man may serve his country no matter how low his position on the social scale.

An Athenian citizen does not put his private affairs before the affairs of the state; even our merchants and businessmen know something about politics. We alone believe that a man who takes no interest in public affairs is more than harmless—he is useless.

And, just as our political life is free and open, so is our day-to-day life in our relations with each other. We do not get bothered with our next-door neighbor if he enjoys himself in his own way, nor do we give him the kind of black looks which, though they do no real harm, still do hurt people's feelings. We are free and tolerant in our private lives; but in public affairs we keep the law. This is because it commands our deep respect.

And here is another point. When our work is over, we are in a position to enjoy all kinds of recreation for our spirits. There are various kinds of contests and sacrifices regularly throughout the year; in our own homes we find a beauty and a good taste which delight us every day and which drive away our cares. Then the greatness of our city brings it about that all the good things from all over the world flow in to us, so that to us it seems just as natural to enjoy foreign goods as our own local products.”