Pericles

Family: Athens · Role: guardian of Alcibiades · First appears: Lycurgus

Agariste gave birth to Pericles, son of Xanthippus, after dreaming she had borne a lion. He learned music from Damon and Pythoclides, studied with Zeno, and was instructed by Anaxagoras, whom he greatly esteemed. After Clinias was slain at Coronea, Pericles and Ariphron became guardians of Alcibiades; Zopyrus was chosen to serve in that office.

When Aristides was dead and Themistocles driven out, Pericles joined the popular party against the aristocracy. He opposed Cimon, who was ostracized and later recalled, and ultimately defeated Thucydides in ostracism, gaining control of Athenian affairs. He was a friend and political ally of Ephialtes, a patron and friend of Phidias, and took Aspasia, whom he loved and greeted with affection; they had two sons, Xanthippus and Paralus. He also advised Tolmides against his campaign, while Cleon became one of his assailants.

Pericles won the surrender of Samos, demolished its walls, seized its ships, and imposed a fine. He was held responsible for refusing the Lacedaemonians’ peace terms and occasioning war. After the plague, the Athenians removed him from command and fined him, though “they freely passed their votes upon him”; after his death, Athens quickly recognized the loss of his leadership, and Nicias rose to the highest political position.