A wise and able statesman named Pericles led Athens during its golden age. Honest and fair, Pericles held onto popular support for almost thirty two years. He was a skillful politician, an inspiring speaker, and a respected general. He has dominated the life of Athens from 461 to 429 B.C., this period has often been called the Age of Pericles. He had three goals, first to strengthen Athenian democracy, second to hold and strengthen the empire, and the last to glorify Athens.
To strengthen democracy, Pericles increased the number of paid public officials.…