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==Pericles: the democrat==

Traditionally, Pericles was regarded by historians as a great democrat. He was seen as encouraging and enabling the participation of the ordinary citizens in the democratic process, not only as electors but as active participants <ref> Kagan, Donald. Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy (NY, Simon, and Schuster, 1998), p. 124</ref>. He enabled civic participation by subsidizing service on juries and also for other civil roles. This meant that municipal service was no longer the preserve of the rich who could afford to serve in juries or offices without pay. Moreover, he was able to limit the power of the aristocracy in politics. Pericles believed based on his surviving speeches which are mainly recorded in the works of the historian Thucydides, argue that freedom was essential for the individual and that democracy was necessary for a vibrant and successful society. The Athenian historian quotes the stateman as saying “Make up your minds that happiness depends on being free” <ref>Thucydides, 2. 37. 1</ref>. His views and oratory did much to democratize Athens and they still inspire democrats to this day. However, many argue that Pericles was not a true democrat and claim that he was a populist and a demagogue. He used his power of oratory to become the almost unquestioned ruler of Athens. This is a fact that is even recognized by his admirer Thucydides.

==The Athenian Empire==