Pericles

Profession: Politician and General

Biography: Pericles was a general in Athens during its golden age. He was born into the prominent Alcmaeonid family and had a quiet, studious youth during which he was taught by philosophers such as Anaxagoras.

Pericles entered politics in the 460s BC, becoming a leader of the democratic party and rival to the conservative Cimon.

For over 30 years, he was the leading politician in Athens, encouraging the arts, literature and grand building projects like the Parthenon that made the city a cultural center. Pericles helped change the Delian League into an Athenian empire while promoting the involvement of citizens in democracy.

An accomplished public speaker and military planner, Pericles steered Athens through the Samian War and early stages of the Peloponnesian War against Sparta. His approach was to avoid open battles and instead use Athens' strong navy to slowly wear down the Peloponnesians.

Pericles dealt with personal challenges too, like claims of impiety made against his friend Phidias and companion Aspasia. Near the end of his life, his sons died from the plague that struck Athens. Pericles himself died from the same sickness in 429 BC.

Birthplace: Athens, Greece

Cause of Death: Plague