What is Pericles' Funeral Oration?
Q: What is Pericles' Funeral Oration?
A: Pericles' Funeral Oration is a famous speech from Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War. It was delivered by Pericles at the end of the first year of the war and was part of a yearly public funeral for those who died in the war.
Q: Who wrote down Pericles' Funeral Oration?
A: The speech was recorded by Thucydides in book two of his History of the Peloponnesian War.
Q: How much did Thucydides change or correct the speeches he recorded?
A: Thucydides says that he changed or corrected some parts of what was said, but kept to main ideas and themes.
Q: Why is this speech important?
A: The Funeral Oration is important because it was different from usual Athenian funeral speeches, as it focused on celebrating Athens and encouraging its people.
Q: When did this speech take place?
A: This speech took place at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BCE).
Q: What custom did people in Athens have regarding funerals for those who died in war?
A: People in Athens had a custom of holding a public funeral for those who died in war, where their bodies were left out for three days with offerings made to them.
Q: Is it certain that Pericles delivered this speech?
A: Yes, it is quite certain that Pericles delivered a speech at the end of the first year of war, although there is uncertainty over how much Thucydides' record matches up with what he actually said.
