What opinion does Plutarch offer of Pericles’ leadership? Is it positive or negative?

Pericles provides an opinion that acknowledges Pericles as an effective leader, but one who often led Athens in ways that were against its long term interests. The theme of Pericles as a demagogue is emphasised in source 7A.40 where in the last of demagogues Pericles is described as “The very head of those below hast thou now brought.” meaning he is the worst of the demagogues


Use a quote to describe one positive quality possessed by Pericles (according to Plutarch)

“he struck the high and clear note of an aristocratic and kingly statesmanship, and employing it for the best interests of all in a direct and undeviating fashion” indicating that Pericles did make good decisions, but these were when he was behaving in an aristocratic manner

Use a quote to describe one negative quality possessed by Pericles (according to Plutarch)

“The poet Ion … says that pericles had a presumptuous and somewhat arrogant manner of address, and that into his haughtiness there entered a good deal of disdain and contempt for others” WHile Plutarch distances himself from this by supposedly quoting someone else, his decision to include it clearly indicates he supports this criticism.

Write a sentence explaining one limitation of Plutarch’s life of Pericles as an historical source.

Plutarch’s clear preference for aristocratic style leadership means that while his facts are usually accurate, he needs to be carefully corroborated with primary sources before accepting his opinions.

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