In class today, we defined the two required qualities by which a leader must possess in order to be considered successful, or a good leader (according to Plato’s cave, generally). These were wisdom and the ability to gain followers and convince people via using one’s wisdom for good. While reading Pericles celebrated funeral orations, I interwove these to characteristics into the picture. For the first quality, Pericles applied his evidently massive amount of knowledge and wisdom to conjure up one of the most influential and impressive orations which made a clear effect on the outcome he was looking for in addition to the influence which the speaker had on approaches to leadership throughout history. Clearly wise, Pericles put aside all other disputes and disagreements and simply made an extreme effort to force upon the notion of a united city state. He then used Sparta, the enemy, as a base of contrasting and conflicting points from which Athenians support; in other words, he contrasted everything negative of Sparta to the positives of Athens. Naturally, this fostered a sense of superiority and confidence in all of Athens, and began to force citizens to view Pericles as a worthy and beneficial leader for the city state; people began thinking in terms of nationalism rather and individualism. This powerful transition from these two states of mind ideally portrayed Pericles’ qualified characteristics and passions, showing off his wise perspective and approach to the threatening situation at hand. Through versatile tactics, he developed the thought that Athens, its beliefs, its values, and its people are worth saving, and in order to do so, the city state must follow its proclaimed leader: Pericles. Standing for something bigger than himself, Pericles proved his wisdom beneficial and positive, qualifying as a leader for Athens. Concerning the second characteristic of a leader (the ability to use the wisdom for good and attract/convince followers), Pericles basically provided a sense of community and supremacy throughout his speech which further produced a large crowd which agreed and were soon to become his followers, establishing his governmental structure. “Our form of government does not enter into rivalry with the institutions of others. Our government does not copy our neighbors', but is an example to them. It is true that we are called a democracy, for the administration is in the hands of the many and not of the few. But while there exists equal justice to all and alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit.” This is specifically interesting and applicable as by the means of amplifying Athens's institutions and foundations to a point where it directly effects the entire population, Pericles provoked a sense that this was everyone’s worthy fight with an awaiting deserved and triumphant victory; the way to get there was by following and abiding by Pericles. I found it interesting how he put the city state in front of himself, which compares to the assumption of a leader: the leader of c country--not the leader of the people. I have come to the conclusion that a leader must assume a position bigger than himself in order to completely direct the country in the right direction, and Pericles does exactly that, as he disregards himself and assumes a position which is bigger than himself, only to benefit the ones he is leading. This process allowed Pericles to gain such a vast amount of followers; along with his wisdom and ability to do god/convince, Pericles proved to be a worthy and good leader for the city state of Athens, as the Funeral Orations perfectly encompass his leadership qualities and successes in his reign.
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