Ch. 10 Ancient Greece-Pericles

Pericles

Dr. Bennett

January 2023

Pericles

Calm in the Face of Danger

The enemy was approaching the city of Athens. Pericles and his dog, Ajax, were on the hill of the Acropolis, high above the city. A huge dust cloud was moving toward the city. In the cloud was the Persian army.

A call, warning Athens of the advancing troops went out to evacuate the city. The citizens were to go to the port of Piraeus which was four miles away. Once there they would board ships that would ferry everyone to safety.

Pericles was 15 years old, scared, angry, and confused; however, he stayed calm. He helped his family to pack and leave.

Women and children boarded ships to a distant coast while the men went to Salamis, an island a few miles away. Once there, they would join the battle against the Persians. Pericles and his family boarded the ship to Salamis because his father was an important politician. However, the dog could not go with them.

As they headed to SAlamis someone noticed dozens of dogs swimming after their masters. Ajax was one of them.

The Athenians did not want the rule of the Persians because they had developed a democratic society, whereas the Persians were tyrants. When they arrived at Salamis they looked back at the city and it was ablaze with fire. The next day the Athenians would battle the Persians on the water and the entire Greek Navy could be destroyed. Yet, the Greeks fought against the Persians hard. The Greeks gained the upper hand and the Greeks were triumphant in the battle at Salamis in 480 B.C., which was a turning point in their war against the Persians.

The families went back to Athens to rebuild. Pericles dedicated his life, thereafter, to restoring the city and strengthening its power. He would always remember the lessons of Salamis-when a tiny democracy stood up to the world's greatest empire.

Multiple Choice

What were the Athenian men planning to do at Salamis?

• Have a party

• Join the army

• Board the Naval ships and fight against the Persians

• Board the Naval ships and fight against the Han dynasty

Multiple Choice

What happened to Pericles dog, Ajax?

• Drowned in the ocean

• Joined the army

• Boarded the Naval ships and fought against the Persians

• Joined the family in Salamis

Multiple Choice

What lessons do you think Pericles learned from his experience in Salamis?

• the value of planning, unity, and sea power

• the value of dogs being able to swim

• having a father as a politician was very beneficial

• Salamis became a great meat

Multiple Choice

Why were the Athenians evacuating their city?

• the Hans were closing in

• China decided to expand their lands to Greece

• the sewer lines burst and the smell was unbearable

• the Persians were advancing on the city