Greek Bust of Pericles the Athenian Statesman

Vatican Museum, Rome, 490 - 429 B.C.

The golden Age of Athens, from 455 to 404 BC, just before their defeat at the hands of Sparta is known as the Athenian Age or the Classical Age. It is also often referred to as the Age of Pericles. This period of a half century where wealth, innovation and creativity ruled is largely what people associate with "Ancient Greece." Spurred by imperial conquest and the treasures the expansion provided, it was a time when the greatest works of architecture including the Parthenon were constructed. A time when the creation of sculpture, statues and art thrived. In this period of relative peace with Persia and Sparta, the Athenian culture advanced the causes of art, poetry architecture and philosophy.

This handsome bust of Pericles sits today in the Vatican Museum. It represents a man who ushered in one of the first true democracies. Unlike past Athenian rulers, Pericles was not a dictator. He used his oratory power and reason to advance his agenda and bring prosperity and change to Athens.