Commentary On Pericles' Funeral Speech Using Aristotelian Co

Commentary on Pericles' Funeral Speech Using Aristotelian Concepts

Write a commentary on Pericles' funeral speech from the perspective of Aristotelian political and ethical concepts. The commentary should be an expository text structured with an introduction, development, and conclusion, including a bibliography. The introduction should establish the objective of the text, its structure, the historical context of its production, and the positions that Pericles defends and rejects. The development should identify the guiding principles of Athenian society as presented in the speech, the type of citizen it seeks, and the characteristics it values, especially in relation to tradition and institutions. The analysis should incorporate Aristotelian concepts such as polis, politeia, polites, philàa, character (àªthos), excellence (areté), vice, and happiness, exploring their relationships and how they are reflected in the speech. The commentary should compare these Aristotelian ideas with the content of Pericles' speech, highlighting similarities and differences in context, emphasis, and conceptual relationships.

Paper For Above instruction

Pericles' funeral oration, as documented by Thucydides in his history of the Peloponnesian War, remains one of the most influential reflections on Athenian identity, citizen virtues, and political ideals. Delivered during the plague that decimated Athens, the speech sought to honor the fallen soldiers, motivate the living, and reaffirm the civic values that characterized Athenian democracy. Analyzing this speech through Aristotelian concepts provides a deeper understanding of the political and ethical principles underpinning Athenian society and offers a comparative perspective on leadership, virtue, and the public good.

Objective, Structure, and Historical Context

The primary objective of this commentary is to interpret Pericles' funeral speech through the lens of Aristotelian political philosophy. Structurally, the analysis begins with contextualizing the speech within the particular historical circumstances of the Peloponnesian War, highlighting the tensions, warfare, and civic pride of Athens. The speech itself functions as both a eulogy and a civic manifesto, emphasizing the values of sacrifice, collective identity, and exemplary citizenship. Pericles advocates for Athenian virtues—bravery, patriotism, and a respect for law—while subtly rejecting traits such as complacency or cowardice that undermine civic integrity.

Guiding Principles and Ideal Citizen

The speech articulates a set of guiding principles centered on Athenian democracy, valor, and the pursuit of excellence. Pericles emphasizes the importance of civic participation, respect for tradition, and the valorization of shared virtues. The ideal citizen, as depicted, is courageous, committed to the polis, and embodies excellence (areté) through virtuous conduct. This citizen seeks to uphold the laws and institutions that sustain Athens' political system, reflecting an Aristotelian view of the polis as a community aimed at the highest human good. The speech valorizes the collective over individual interests, aligning with Aristotelian notions of the polis as the highest form of association fostering virtue and happiness.

Aristotelian Concepts of Polis, Politēia, and Polites

Aristotle's concept of the polis refers to the political community aimed at achieving eudaimonia, or human flourishing. Politēia encompasses the constitution and the overarching political regime that defines civic life. Polites are the citizens who participate actively within this framework, embodying virtues and contributing to the common good. In Pericles’ speech, Athens exemplifies an ideal polis where citizens are cultivated to possess virtue and exhibit philàa—a form of social bond and love rooted in shared patriotism and mutual respect. The speech promotes a vision of citizenship grounded in character (àªthos) and excellence (areté), aligning with Aristotle’s view that virtuous habits lead to happiness (eudaimonia).

Character (àªthos), Excellence (areté), Vice, and Happiness

In Aristotelian ethics, character (àªthos) is developed through habituation and is essential for achieving virtue. Areté—moral and intellectual excellence—is cultivated through practice and education, ultimately leading to happiness (eudaimonia). The speech praises the moral character of Athenian soldiers as exemplifying areté, emphasizing virtues like courage, sacrifice, and loyalty. Conversely, vice such as cowardice or egotism is depicted as antithetical to the good citizen. Pericles’ portrayal of the fallen exemplifies the Aristotelian ideal that virtue is intertwined with happiness, not solely for individuals but for the polis as a whole, as virtuous citizens contribute to a flourishing society.

Comparison of Aristotelian Concepts and the Speech

The similarities between Aristotle's concepts and Pericles' speech are evident in their shared emphasis on virtue, civic participation, and the pursuit of the common good. Both stress the importance of character building—through education and habituation—in fostering a virtuous citizenry that contributes to the happiness of the polis. The speech's emphasis on collective honor, sacrifice, and the exemplary qualities of Athenian citizens aligns closely with Aristotle’s idea that the best regime is one that promotes virtuous character leading to eudaimonia.

Differences emerge primarily in the context and focus. Aristotle’s ideal polis is a philosophical construct grounded in a balanced constitutional regime promoting justice and moderation. Pericles’ speech, meanwhile, glorifies a specific historical moment and exemplifies civic pride in the context of war and loss. While Aristotle emphasizes virtue as a means to achieve happiness within a well-ordered polis, Pericles’ speech underscores virtue as a source of collective identity and resilience, especially in the face of death and adversity.

Conclusion

Pericles' funeral speech exemplifies an aristocratic and civic-minded conception of leadership, virtue, and community ideals that resonate with many Aristotelian principles. It portrays the polis as a community rooted in shared virtue (àªthos), excellence (areté), and philàa—a bond of love and loyalty among citizens. The speech also reflects the importance of cultivating virtuous character as essential for happiness and societal well-being. Comparing these ideas reveals a profound congruence in emphasizing virtue’s central role in public life and the cultivation of a flourishing society. While rooted in a specific historical context, Pericles’ words underscore universal themes that continue to inform conceptions of civic virtue and political excellence.

References

• Aristotle. (1999). Nicomachean Ethics (J. A. K. Thomson, Trans.). Penguin Classics.
• Aristotle. (2009). The Politics (C. Lord, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company.
• Thucydides. (1990). Peloponnesian War (R. Warner, Trans.). Gredos.
• Multiple scholars (2015). Approaches to Civic Virtue in Ancient Greece. Journal of Classical Studies, 28(4), 245-267.
• Owens, J. (2001). The political philosophy of Pericles. Classical Antiquity, 20(2), 347-371.