Over the years, a lot of famous quotes and phrases have evolved over time that has been attributed to ancient Greeks, such as Aesop and Homer. In this series of articles, you will learn a little about some of the following famous ancient characters and their words: Homer and Pericles.
Homer
When it comes to infamous early Greek poems, Homer is responsible for giving the world the Iliad and the Odyssey. Also, it is the works of Homer that is attributed to starting the Western Canon. Very few literary researchers can deny the importance of his advanced poetic expression. The period of Classical Antiquity is also connected to his works. Now, back to the Iliad and the Odyssey , Homer was able to capture the beauty and agony of the Trojan War (as depicted in the Iliad) and the journey back to Greece, which took ten years (the Odyssey). In his works, some characters are historical while others are completely fictional.
A few quotes to remember Homer by include:
1) “Bards are honored and revered throughout the world, because the Muse has taught them songs and loves the race of bards.”
2) “Tell me, O Muse, of that man, so in need of help, who wandered far and wide, after he had sacked the sacred city of Troy.”
3) “The herald came near, bringing with him the excellent singer
Whom the Muse had loved greatly”¦
She had deprived him of his sight, but she gave him the sweet singing art”¦
The herald hung the clear lyre on a peg placed over
His head, and showed him how to reach up with his hands and take it down.”
Pericles of Athens
Pericles lived from 495 to 429 BC and is known as an influential and significant statesman, orator, and general in Athens. He lived through what was called the Golden Age, which signified the time between the Persian and the Peloponnesian wars. On his mother’s side, he was tied to the Alcmaeonid family, which was rather powerful throughout history. When it came to Athenian society, Pericles held an important position, which eventually gained him the title of “the first citizen of Athens” by contemporary historians.
As a general for Athens, Pericles led between 461 and 429BC, which is sometimes referred to by historians as the “Age of Pericles.” It was he who also encouraged the arts and literature, which helped to catapult Athens to gain quite the reputation as being central in the advancement of education and culture throughout the ancient Greek world.
Another feat associated with Pericles is the fact that he was the first to pay employees of the government and creates numerous democratic reforms. Some of his wise words include:
1) “Time is the wisest of all counselors.”
2) “Outstanding individuals have the whole world as their memorial.”
3) “Future ages will wander at us, as the present age wonders at us now.”