United we stand

History

“I am an American”, what does this phrase mean to us when we say it? Does it evoke feelings of courage and nobility? Does it bring us closer to our friends and neighbors? For Greeks, their nation was everything to them, each citizen part of a Democracy in which they could have a voice. They saw it as a duty and honor to be a part of their city. To the Athenians, their love for their country was something that sustained them, kept them warm, and emboldened them to make sacrifices and acheivements for a greater whole.

Rhetoric

As I read Pericles’ speech I couldn’t help but reflect upon the Kairos of the situation. As Adam points out, Athens was at war with Sparta and this was the first burial ceremony of the war. As a general, Pericles knows ceremony like this can weaken or strengthen the people’s support for the war. Pericles decides to do something a little out of the ordinary and change the decorum of his speech.

Like Thomas points out, he shifts the focus from the fallen soldiers and focuses the audience on the cause which these soldiers died for, Athens. Through his speech he personifies Athens with humanlike qualities founded upon virtues, hard work and sacrifice of the Athenians, he urges the Athenians to “fix your eyes every day on the greatness of Athens as she really is, and should fall in love with her “. Pericles helps the citizens to understand that Athens is embodied in each and every one of them, thus creating a sense of loyalty and responsibility.

Philosophy

As Thomas concluded, the speech as ideals flowing into all three groups of philosophy. As I read and reread parts of Pericles speech I think Socrates would have agreed with many of his views. Pericles obviously believes that there is a right and a wrong, that there exists both good and bad. In one part of his speech he declares that the fallen “have blotted out evil with good”. He also embodies that there are attributes that are superior than others, namely natural courage vs state inspired courage. Lastly Pericles brings up sacrificing lesser desires for greater desires when he complements the warriors for “more than [desiring] such things [as wealth] they chose to check the enemy’s pride. This, to them, was a risk most glorious, and they accepted it, willing to strike down the enemy and relinquish everything else (all lesser desires).”