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Athens Classical

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Similarities and differences of ideal classical Athens and reality classical Athens
Many domains of literature are usually interested in classical Athens. The Athens in reference is usually the Greek city-state of Athens that existed in the period 480 BC to 404 BC. After a collaboration of Greek city-states destroyed the Persian invasion in 478 BC, an alliance of these independent city-states created the Athenian empire. The inception of the Athenian empire introduced the Golden age of Athens which was characterized by economic, cultural, and political flourishing. This period of Greek dominance is often regarded as one of the primary sources of western values and standards. Many aspects of the modern society are modeled in the image of the “Golden Age” of classical Athens; from modern literature to modern architecture for example the US state capitols are modeled to imitate the Greek Parthenon and other Athens buildings. However, there were several similarities and differences on how Athens was realistically and the ideal in which Athenians wanted their city to be depicted. (Merry E. Weisne-Hanks, Andrew Evans, William Bruce Wheeler, Julius Ruff)
The ideal classical Athens was a place of liberty and freedom incorporated with pleasure and abundant knowledge. One of the main demonstrators of classical Athens is the speech given by Pericles during the funeral of soldiers who fell victim to the Peloponnesian war. In the speech Pericles represents the Athenian idea society. He represents Athenians as a strong community that is bounded to one another, his profound use of “we” and “our”. He believes that Athens is a “second school of Hellas” where the other states can depict knowledge from. He believes that Athens is an example that other states can follow. The main ideals of Athenians according to Pericles were their military

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