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The Age of Pericles
The career of Pericles, the leading Athenian politician and general from c. 450 to 429 B.C., is a prism through which to view the "Golden Age" of Greece, a brief but remarkable era when Athens experienced a cultural flowering of extraordinary power and importance for Western culture.
In the generation that followed Pericles' appearance on the public stage shortly after the Persian wars, Athens rapidly transformed the alliance of Greek states - an alliance first created as a defense against the Persians - into a true Aegean empire, dominated by the Athenians and their mighty navy. But this dramatic increase in military power, cultural influence, and prestige was also accompanied by something unique: the growth of full participatory democracy. But in examining the lives of Athenian men and women, one has to ask what freedom and autonomy really meant to a society that relied on slaves and was ruthless in its treatment of its subjects.
These 24 stimulating lectures present a well-rounded portrait of almost every aspect of Athenian life during the Golden Age, including. the different ways Athens and Sparta raised their children; the fate of Athenian girls as mothers and managers of the household; young Pericles' role in bringing Aeschylus's masterpiece, The Persians; why the Spartans rejected the aid of Athens in putting down a slave revolt; and Thucydides' terrifying description of the plague's physical and social impact on Athens - including the death of Pericles - and its possible role in the ultimate defeat of Athens by Sparta.
In the generation that followed Pericles' appearance on the public stage shortly after the Persian wars, Athens rapidly transformed the alliance of Greek states - an alliance first created as a defense against the Persians - into a true Aegean empire, dominated by the Athenians and their mighty navy. But this dramatic increase in military power, cultural influence, and prestige was also accompanied by something unique: the growth of full participatory democracy. But in examining the lives of Athenian men and women, one has to ask what freedom and autonomy really meant to a society that relied on slaves and was ruthless in its treatment of its subjects.
These 24 stimulating lectures present a well-rounded portrait of almost every aspect of Athenian life during the Golden Age, including. the different ways Athens and Sparta raised their children; the fate of Athenian girls as mothers and managers of the household; young Pericles' role in bringing Aeschylus's masterpiece, The Persians; why the Spartans rejected the aid of Athens in putting down a slave revolt; and Thucydides' terrifying description of the plague's physical and social impact on Athens - including the death of Pericles - and its possible role in the ultimate defeat of Athens by Sparta.
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First published December 1, 2004
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September 20, 2021
The Age of Pericles
In this lecture series, Professor Jeremy McInerney of the University of Pennsylvania gives a balanced and nuanced analysis of Athens's golden age and eventual demise. I've become very interested in the fragility of democracy, and examining the first democracy with the guidance of a scholar of his caliber was an absolute pleasure.
McInerney begins the course at the end of the Persian War. He asks the listener to consider issues that arise when a city-state or nation-state advocates and practices democracy at home yet sets out to impose its will on its allies, often in a very undemocratic manner. He then provides in-depth lectures on the Athenians' political, social and cultural institutions, investigating both the negative and positive in their historical context.
He is critical of the Athenian's treatment of slaves, women and the suppression of their allies in the Delian League. He believes that the use of slaves and the suppression of women provided the male citizens with the time to participate in direct democracy and contribute to the arts and sciences. And yet, McInerney invokes George Bernard Shaw's maxim " individuals deserve to be judged within the context of their times" and applies this maxim to nations. He compares Athens's fledgling democracy to the surrounding monarchies and oligarchies. McInerney contends that while Athenians limited citizenship to men, it gave all males, regardless of social class, the rights of citizenship, thereby introducing the concept of equality before the law. He also claims that, as in Athens, it was common practice in surrounding city-states and countries to capture and enslave the families of those defeated in war.
McInerney asserts that Athens's most significant strength at the pinnacle of its Golden Age was its open dialogue and ability to engage in criticism of contradictions of society and within individuals. He demonstrates this quality through in-depth analysis of the great Athenian playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
After examining Athens's significant accomplishments, he describes its gradual decline, which he attributes to the twenty-year Peloponnesian War with Sparta, the abandonment by their mistreated allies, and the two-year plague which took the life of Pericles. These factors contributed to the rise of demagogues and the waning of civil discourse and critical free speech.
The Age of Pericles was the third in Jeremy McInerney's great courses series on Ancient Greece. My husband and I listened to a lecture a night through the winter of the pandemic. Each course dove deeper into Greek culture and society, and we gained a great deal. I highly recommend them all. I have listened to many great courses, and few are of this caliber.
In this lecture series, Professor Jeremy McInerney of the University of Pennsylvania gives a balanced and nuanced analysis of Athens's golden age and eventual demise. I've become very interested in the fragility of democracy, and examining the first democracy with the guidance of a scholar of his caliber was an absolute pleasure.
McInerney begins the course at the end of the Persian War. He asks the listener to consider issues that arise when a city-state or nation-state advocates and practices democracy at home yet sets out to impose its will on its allies, often in a very undemocratic manner. He then provides in-depth lectures on the Athenians' political, social and cultural institutions, investigating both the negative and positive in their historical context.
He is critical of the Athenian's treatment of slaves, women and the suppression of their allies in the Delian League. He believes that the use of slaves and the suppression of women provided the male citizens with the time to participate in direct democracy and contribute to the arts and sciences. And yet, McInerney invokes George Bernard Shaw's maxim " individuals deserve to be judged within the context of their times" and applies this maxim to nations. He compares Athens's fledgling democracy to the surrounding monarchies and oligarchies. McInerney contends that while Athenians limited citizenship to men, it gave all males, regardless of social class, the rights of citizenship, thereby introducing the concept of equality before the law. He also claims that, as in Athens, it was common practice in surrounding city-states and countries to capture and enslave the families of those defeated in war.
McInerney asserts that Athens's most significant strength at the pinnacle of its Golden Age was its open dialogue and ability to engage in criticism of contradictions of society and within individuals. He demonstrates this quality through in-depth analysis of the great Athenian playwrights Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes.
After examining Athens's significant accomplishments, he describes its gradual decline, which he attributes to the twenty-year Peloponnesian War with Sparta, the abandonment by their mistreated allies, and the two-year plague which took the life of Pericles. These factors contributed to the rise of demagogues and the waning of civil discourse and critical free speech.
The Age of Pericles was the third in Jeremy McInerney's great courses series on Ancient Greece. My husband and I listened to a lecture a night through the winter of the pandemic. Each course dove deeper into Greek culture and society, and we gained a great deal. I highly recommend them all. I have listened to many great courses, and few are of this caliber.
December 16, 2021
Another excellent course produced by The Great Courses. In these 24 half hour lectures Jeremy McInerney discusses different historical, political and cultural aspects of the so called Golden Age of Athens which coincided with Pericles being its most influential leader.
Paradoxically (or maybe only to be expected?), this is also the period when Athens democracy turned into a ruthless imperialistic empire, which eventually led to the end of its Golden Age.
As always, its intersting to see how every historian gives a different interpretation of the same material and brings his own original insight.
Paradoxically (or maybe only to be expected?), this is also the period when Athens democracy turned into a ruthless imperialistic empire, which eventually led to the end of its Golden Age.
As always, its intersting to see how every historian gives a different interpretation of the same material and brings his own original insight.
June 11, 2022
Ovo je zapravo serija 24 predavanja od po pola sata, izdata kao audio knjiga. Nije ovo samo o Periklu, već generalno o zlatnom dobu klasične Atine (najzanimljivije decenije civilizacije?)
Od državne organizacije i svakogodišnjem izboru Perikla za generala, od ratova sa Persijancima do Peleponeskih ratova, ali i o položaju žena i o antičkom pozorištu. S takvim pristupom, jasno ti je da ta tematska predavanja moraju da donesu mnogo poznatih stvari - ali čovek zna o čemu priča, pa na sreću ovo nije samo prepričana istorija koju znaš, već i dosta novih detalja na svaku temu.
Od državne organizacije i svakogodišnjem izboru Perikla za generala, od ratova sa Persijancima do Peleponeskih ratova, ali i o položaju žena i o antičkom pozorištu. S takvim pristupom, jasno ti je da ta tematska predavanja moraju da donesu mnogo poznatih stvari - ali čovek zna o čemu priča, pa na sreću ovo nije samo prepričana istorija koju znaš, već i dosta novih detalja na svaku temu.
December 25, 2016
A detailed view of Athens in its classical era, reinforced my understanding and created a more three dimensional sense of the social, cultural, political aspects of that part of history. The chapters on tragedy and comedy, Socrates and Plato are especially enlightening.
March 19, 2017
Great overarching review of the events of (primarily) the 4th and 5th centuries in Greece. While there was lots of information about Pericles, there was also lots of info about the lead up to Pericles...and the aftermath (after his death from the plague). Very nicely narrated, good pacing, well presented.
July 8, 2020
Enlightening and generously educational. The Professor is a pleasant lecturer, knowledgeable and smoothly experienced. I drew a lot from these Audible lectures that supplement my reading on the subject. I highly recommend these lectures.
June 9, 2020
A wonderful sweep through the history of ancient Athens. McInerney is a great lecturer, a pleasure to listen to. He covers the political and economic history of Athens, and also its cultural innovations and importance from drama to philosophy. The title might throw some people: it's much less about Pericles than it is about the Athens into which Pericles lived. (Hence The Age of ...)
May 11, 2015
Audio download of 24 30 minute lectures, plus a 95 page guide book/outline.
After the lectures by Harl and Hale about Greece before and into the classical age (the nuts & bolts of the wars and battles between the Greeks and Persians, then the Greeks and the Greeks, then finally the Greeks and the Romans), I revisited Professor McInerney as he looked more closely at the cultural make up of the Athenian society...what exactly made them 'tick'. My first time through the lectures I lacked the context of the turbulent 5th & 4th century BCE...this time it hit home. This misunderstanding of the context of the times is very similar to the way we in the west present Athenian Democracy as an ideal for which to strive...a type of utopia, not understanding that the basic Athenian policies that were accepted in the context of the 4th century would be found to be offensive, appalling and even downright barbaric in the 21st century.
McInerney, both well-prepared and very well spoken, helps us understand the context of classical Athens in its laws, customs and arts, and brings us a little closer to understanding ourselves at the same time. I also get a chuckle when I hear some bag-o'-wind US politician try to expound on the heritage of freedom the USofA inherited from the freedom-loving Greeks. While the Greeks may not have invented slavery or misogyny, they certainly perfected some of its finer points.
Very highly recommended, especially when you can get it on sale, and a coupon is available.
After the lectures by Harl and Hale about Greece before and into the classical age (the nuts & bolts of the wars and battles between the Greeks and Persians, then the Greeks and the Greeks, then finally the Greeks and the Romans), I revisited Professor McInerney as he looked more closely at the cultural make up of the Athenian society...what exactly made them 'tick'. My first time through the lectures I lacked the context of the turbulent 5th & 4th century BCE...this time it hit home. This misunderstanding of the context of the times is very similar to the way we in the west present Athenian Democracy as an ideal for which to strive...a type of utopia, not understanding that the basic Athenian policies that were accepted in the context of the 4th century would be found to be offensive, appalling and even downright barbaric in the 21st century.
McInerney, both well-prepared and very well spoken, helps us understand the context of classical Athens in its laws, customs and arts, and brings us a little closer to understanding ourselves at the same time. I also get a chuckle when I hear some bag-o'-wind US politician try to expound on the heritage of freedom the USofA inherited from the freedom-loving Greeks. While the Greeks may not have invented slavery or misogyny, they certainly perfected some of its finer points.
Very highly recommended, especially when you can get it on sale, and a coupon is available.
May 31, 2022
McInerney speaks authoritatively and well about a subject he clearly loves. On the assumption that the quality of his lectures is matched by his scholarship, one will learn a great deal about Athens, Pericles, and how our Western Civilization came to be formed.
June 2, 2014
Going through another of my greek histories. I want to understand our foundation as a western society better. So. Here I am. Starting what must be my 8th or 9th series on greek/roman histories.
Took a week off, back to this. Currently on lecture 5. The idea that vespasia (sp) was Pericles speech writer.
Finished this off a while ago. It tied in the final group of greek roman histories i had been listening to. I am off to the eastern and middle eastern histories now. wooo hooo. After that the Scandinavian and Germanic histories.
Took a week off, back to this. Currently on lecture 5. The idea that vespasia (sp) was Pericles speech writer.
Finished this off a while ago. It tied in the final group of greek roman histories i had been listening to. I am off to the eastern and middle eastern histories now. wooo hooo. After that the Scandinavian and Germanic histories.
Read
November 19, 2013Quite fantastic. McInerney is an enjoyable teacher, and his take on ancient Greece for the most part does not succumb to the all too common desire to place Greece within a civilisation narrative which agrees with contemporary foundation myths.
April 29, 2024
A Book that even those with an Intermediate Level of Knowledge of the Subject can Appreciate
The below is a review of the CD edition of this work.
Books in the "Great Courses• series tend to be written, in general, for those who are novices in the fields they cover. However, this particular book is a bit different in that, at least in this reviewer's opinion, even those with an intermediate level of knowledge on the subject can actually learn something new. This reviewer has that level of knowledge and found this audiobook very informative.
A second point that needs to be made about the book is that, unlike so many books on Athens during this age, it is very eclectic in its coverage. It not only covers the geopolitical issues of the day, how the Peloponnesian War progressed and the life of Pericles (with respect to the last it is ironically quite weak) but provides coverage of a wide variety of subjects that few books on Athens of this time actually cover. Coverage, in many cases full chapters, is provided regarding life in general, economics/business, foreigners in the city, institutional structure of the political system, social classes, slavery, women and children, among other topics. This reviewer, with his intermediate level of knowledge on the subject, found this much of this enlightening. The novice, undoubtedly, would find it even more so. With respect to the last positive
that needs to be noted, the narration provided by the author is very, very good. It is never monotone, unenthusiastic or boring. Very typical of books in the "Great Courses• series.
Of course, all this does not mean the book does not have weaknesses. The most important of these, as noted earlier, is the very ironic fact that the biography of Pericles is weak. Secondly, the geopolitics of the time and the progression of the war is also weak albeit it does suffice as a very •scratch the surface• introduction for the novice. For anyone over and above that there is nothing new. Thirdly, with respect to its eclectic coverage of topics (i.e., political institutions, social relations, economy, slavery, women, etc.) there is very little comparison of these in Athens and the other Greek City states, and even less with the major powers of the time (i.e., Egypt, Rome and Persia) and the "barbarian• lands laying outside of these such as Northern Europe and the Steppes of Russia. Lastly there is no analysis or discussion of the topology of Athens. This is important as the fact that Athens had to import its food supply led it, eventually, to the disastrous Sicilian expedition that played an important part in its losing the Peloponnesian War. Sicily was one of the main supplies of grain in the Mediterranean at that time and it was relatively secure compared to other two, Egypt and the Crimea. With respect to the Crimean grain supply, Persia could easily choke off the Bosporus and dependence on Egyptian supplies would put Athens at the mercy of this state. This tends to be ignored by many authors covering the Sicilian Expedition who, instead, attribute the disaster, like Thucydides did, purely to Hubris run amuck.
Despite these weaknesses, the book is still very good, even for the intermediate level listener. For the novice it would be even better. Highly recommended.
The below is a review of the CD edition of this work.
Books in the "Great Courses• series tend to be written, in general, for those who are novices in the fields they cover. However, this particular book is a bit different in that, at least in this reviewer's opinion, even those with an intermediate level of knowledge on the subject can actually learn something new. This reviewer has that level of knowledge and found this audiobook very informative.
A second point that needs to be made about the book is that, unlike so many books on Athens during this age, it is very eclectic in its coverage. It not only covers the geopolitical issues of the day, how the Peloponnesian War progressed and the life of Pericles (with respect to the last it is ironically quite weak) but provides coverage of a wide variety of subjects that few books on Athens of this time actually cover. Coverage, in many cases full chapters, is provided regarding life in general, economics/business, foreigners in the city, institutional structure of the political system, social classes, slavery, women and children, among other topics. This reviewer, with his intermediate level of knowledge on the subject, found this much of this enlightening. The novice, undoubtedly, would find it even more so. With respect to the last positive
that needs to be noted, the narration provided by the author is very, very good. It is never monotone, unenthusiastic or boring. Very typical of books in the "Great Courses• series.
Of course, all this does not mean the book does not have weaknesses. The most important of these, as noted earlier, is the very ironic fact that the biography of Pericles is weak. Secondly, the geopolitics of the time and the progression of the war is also weak albeit it does suffice as a very •scratch the surface• introduction for the novice. For anyone over and above that there is nothing new. Thirdly, with respect to its eclectic coverage of topics (i.e., political institutions, social relations, economy, slavery, women, etc.) there is very little comparison of these in Athens and the other Greek City states, and even less with the major powers of the time (i.e., Egypt, Rome and Persia) and the "barbarian• lands laying outside of these such as Northern Europe and the Steppes of Russia. Lastly there is no analysis or discussion of the topology of Athens. This is important as the fact that Athens had to import its food supply led it, eventually, to the disastrous Sicilian expedition that played an important part in its losing the Peloponnesian War. Sicily was one of the main supplies of grain in the Mediterranean at that time and it was relatively secure compared to other two, Egypt and the Crimea. With respect to the Crimean grain supply, Persia could easily choke off the Bosporus and dependence on Egyptian supplies would put Athens at the mercy of this state. This tends to be ignored by many authors covering the Sicilian Expedition who, instead, attribute the disaster, like Thucydides did, purely to Hubris run amuck.
Despite these weaknesses, the book is still very good, even for the intermediate level listener. For the novice it would be even better. Highly recommended.
December 11, 2024
The Age of Pericles by Jeremy McInerney is social history done right! Man, I think this is one of the very best ones I've encountered in the past few years. There is a progression and arc to the history of the Age of Pericles. It opens with some background and his leadership, but then the course takes a backseat for the history of people, religion, literature, politics, and day-to-day activities. We learn what its like to be an Athenian in the 5th century. History creeps back in towards the last chunk of the course, with the death of Pericles and a note on the philosophers Socrates and Plato. The last class, which so often feels tacked on, to provide some type of epitome and closing remarks about why the course was important turned into something poignant, and increasingly something that will be lost as generations age and time marches on. Boy oh boy, this was great. I wish that if I ever were to teach, I could teach a bit like this (and a little like Hale, Fagan, Vandiver, and others).
May 28, 2021
Dr. McInerney presents the Golden Age of Greece in such a lovely way. His lecture style is easy to listen to. More importantly, his liberal inclusion of various source materials drives home the ideas that while the time is different and the practices of the people are different, they are more similar to us than we often think. He is critical when necessary, particularly in their treatment of woman and slavery. However he reminds the listener that, however abhorrent we find these practices, they were a normal reality of the time. Overall, a wonderful examination of Athens and all of Greece of Pericles.
November 14, 2023
Going through another of my greek histories. I want to understand our foundation as a western society better. So. Here I am. Starting what must be my 8th or 9th series on greek/roman histories.
Took a week off, back to this. Currently on lecture 5. The idea that vespasia (sp) was Pericles speech writer.
Finished this off a while ago. It tied in the final group of greek roman histories i had been listening to. I am off to the eastern and middle eastern histories now. wooo hooo. After that the Scandinavian and Germanic histories.
Took a week off, back to this. Currently on lecture 5. The idea that vespasia (sp) was Pericles speech writer.
Finished this off a while ago. It tied in the final group of greek roman histories i had been listening to. I am off to the eastern and middle eastern histories now. wooo hooo. After that the Scandinavian and Germanic histories.
June 24, 2022
I went in with very little knowledge of 5th century Greece! I like this professor more than some of the lectures in this course! I skipped the ones about Greek stage work all together. ....I did enjoy the lessons on the courts, democracy, daily life a great deal, however!....A mixed bag this one.
June 9, 2019
One of the better courses from the teaching company.
August 3, 2021
This was a college lecture series I listened to, it was very interesting.
August 16, 2023
Very detail review of almost all aspects of Arena during its golden era. Not only the obvious but also art women philosophies economics etc.. very enjoyable read
November 6, 2024
Probably worth listening to some lectures on the Peloponnesian Wars and Persian Wars before getting into this series.
September 5, 2021
Possibly the best Classical Studies lecturer I have ever listened to. Animated, enthusiastic, so knowledgeable and able to make the past interesting and relevant. 24 lectures, an excellent bargain. An American professor with a smooth well paced voice that does not grate on English ears. McInerney is the model that other Great Courses professors should emulate, as many of his competitors lecture with a crazily fast delivery, heavily burdened by strong American accents. The course notes are available to download from Audible too. Excellent.
February 13, 2015
"For less than the price of a new car today, you could buy yourself a slave. And everyone did."~Lecture 11, Coins, Trade and Business
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews