For no country has ever yet been found that has proved equal to Athens in the hour of trial; and if our empire shall be overthrown, and we go down to defeat, our fall will be more glorious than that of any other state, for we shall have left to all after-ages an imperishable monument of our power.
— Pericles Ancient

Athenian statesman

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Details

Context

From Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War', Pericles' Funeral Oration. This highly boastful and almost fatalistic statement, made during wartime, could be seen as hubris or a reckless disregard for the cost of maintaining empire, potentially controversial to those who prioritized peace or stability over glory.

Date / Period

431 BC (approximate, as recorded by Thucydides)

Category

Controversial

Source

https://antigonejournal.com/2021/12/after-pericles-what-can-we-learn-about-democ…

Verification

Unverifiable

Explanation

Found in 1 providers: gemini

Method

Cross Reference

Sources Checked

1 source

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