Page 11 - GALIET WE PERIKLES: Thyucidides IV

Galiet & Galiet
Think now 3⁄4 no, no 3⁄4 better not to think. I, Perikles, exalter of the sensational power of words, have blessed my audience, future vox populis, with the illusion of beauty, liberty and joy; yes 3⁄4 “exceptional grace” and “exceptional versatility” 3⁄4: a kind of mimesis: a magic echo of the possibilities of absolute freedom of choice beyond and beyond; words, indeed, worthy of my remembrance. Fools. In truth, I do think I eloquently stated earlier, just at the beginning of the same paragraph (by now fortunately forgotten), that freedom is peculiarly and notoriously conditional. You, my citizens, must actively participate in the “affairs of the state” and if you don’t 3⁄4 well 3⁄4 “we do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all”. I enjoy speaking “threats” on your behalf, it is an effective art in influencing the masses to obey. (Don’t forget that I can easily declare you a non-citizen). Excellent.
I, Perikles of Athens, further declare: “we are free and tolerant in our private lives, but in public affairs we keep to the law. This is because it commands our deepest respect” (2.37.1). Consequently, during war, I pledge complete allegiance to the city-state. No, I don’t impose my ideas on you 3⁄4 after all, you, unlike the Spartans’ severe regime, are encouraged to think for yourselves. Athens gives you the freedom to think and say and vote what you want. You are allowed to debate and ostracize. You have the power not only to break and shatter lives of traitors and politicians whom you deem unworthy and undesirable but to also crush them into oblivion like a discarded piece of “ostracon.”2 Remember, too, that Athens encourages you to study and enjoy literature and the arts and most of all to philosophize. Athens encourages you to enjoy the beauty of your homes and families, the comfort of trade, and to find pleasure in the recreation of your spirits.
2 Duiker, William and Spielvogel, Jackson. World History. Comprehensive Volume. 3rd Edition. UK: Wadsworth Thomson Learning. 2001. 106.
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