Pericles

American  

[per-i-kleez] / ˈpɛr ɪˌkliz /

noun

1. c495–429 b.c., Athenian statesman.

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Pericles British  

/ ˈpɛrɪˌkliːz /

noun

1. ?495–429 _bc , Athenian statesman and leader of the popular party, who contributed greatly to Athens' political and cultural supremacy in Greece. In power from about 460 _bc , he was responsible for the construction of the Parthenon. He conducted the Peloponnesian War (431–404 _bc ) successfully until his death

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Pericles Cultural  

1. A statesman of ancient Greece, who tried to unite the country under the leadership of his own city, Athens (see also Athens). Pericles also promoted democracy within Athens. His rule is sometimes known as the Golden Age of Greece. Many magnificent buildings, including the Parthenon, were built under his administration. He led the Athenians at the beginning of the Peloponnesian War but died soon afterward.

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Example Sentences

This verdict is in keeping with the tenor of the last 50 years of classical scholarship, which has moved past—perhaps too far past—any idealizing visions of Pericles and Athens.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

When the helmsman said that it didn’t, Pericles asked, “so, where’s the difference between this and the eclipse, except that something bigger than my cape has blotted out the sun?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Only a month ago, President McInnis and Dean Pericles Lewis speculated, half-jokingly during parents weekend, that Yale has been spared only because “Y” came at the end of the alphabet.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2025

“As you can see, a large majority of grades in Yale College are in the A range,” Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College, told the student newspaper.

From Washington Times • Dec. 5, 2023

Athens in the time of Pericles, Plato and Aristotle had a vast slave population.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan