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Pericles and Athens

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Pericles and Athens

By: Andrew Burn
Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
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Acclaimed as "the first citizen of Athens", Pericles was one of the greatest statesmen ancient Greece ever produced. During the Golden Age of Athens, in the much admired 5th century B.C., Pericles epitomized the influential politician. But he was also a brilliant orator and military leader brought up in the competitive environment of Greek democracy.

Raised in the aristocratic household of the Alcmaeonid family, one of the most distinguished of his day, Pericles grew to manhood in the exalted company of thinkers like Herodotus, Sophocles, Socrates, Phidias, Iktinus, Pindar, Aeschylus, Euripides, Thucydides, Democritus, and Anaxagorus. He knew them all personally.

Pericles led Athens from 461 to 429 B.C., a pivotal era in history. More than anyone else, it was his steady hand and enlightened outlook that gained Athens the riches of empire and the glory of the Acropolis.

Never before have the arts flourished with such incredible perfection as within the lifetime of Pericles. And never before was the death of a leader followed by such swift calamity. His absence during the long, drawn out Peloponnesian War was keenly felt.

Listen to this great story and learn why Pericles was truly the most indispensable man in Greece.

©1974 Andrew Burn (P)2009 Audio Connoisseur Ancient Politicians Politics & Activism
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The author is not shy of his very pro-Pericles bias however a great overview of the man's life. Very tedious to listen to at times.

Informative but dry

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The work here narrated was originally penned in the 40s, and accordingly, may in places lack the broader perspective of a current-day study; but I believe its value lies in its masterful competence in weaving the collection of ancient sources into a memorable narrative and a character-soaked representation of ancient Greece, I personally believe that when it comes to enjoying historical works, the old-fashioned should be alternated with the modern, as both approaches are complimentary.

The narration of Charlton Griffin may come off as amusingly self-serious, but it is entirely stately in tone and very appropriate for the material at hand. The recording intentionally - I think - leaves about 45 seconds of silence at the end of each chapter, signified by a little bell, which I suspect was intended to allow listeners time to pause without rushing. Quite considerate, but maybe it didn't need to be such a prolonged gap.

Concise and Punchy Ancient History

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