The Greek Statesman Pericles

The bust you see to the left is a replica of a Roman bust of Athenian statesman, scholar and general Pericles.  The Roman version of the Pericles bust is actually a copy of the Greek sculpture that dates back to the fifth century BC. Pericles had tremendous influence over the Athenian assembly. He used the persuasion of speech to initiate such actions as payment for men on jury service and the restricting the definition of Athenian citizenship only to those whose parents were born to Athens. He led the Athenian military against the Spartans along with his many other diplomatic and scholarly achievements. His oration for the soldiers who perished during the Peloponnesian war is considered one of the most eloquent testimonies to the significance of being an Athenian. Pericles' influence extended into the very architecture of Athens, his vision crafting the look of the city. Pericles died in 429 BC from the plague.