Pericles, who lived from 495 to 429 BC, was the greatest statesman of Athens. He initiated the building of the 'Long Walls' of Athens (which ran from the city to the ports of Piraeus and Phaleron) and was responsible for the construction of many of Athens' great buildings, including the Parthenon.
He was very popular with the people of Athens and the basis of his power lay in their support. After eliminating rivals, Pericles inaugurated laws concerning citizenship. He was also a powerful voice on Athens' foreign policy and reduced to submission various islands and cities which attempted to end their alliances with Athens (including Samos and Euboea).
He secured Sparta's recognition of the Athenian Empire in the 'Thirty Years Peace' in 445 BC and was given much praise for this achievement. When the Peloponnesian War broke out with Sparta in 431 BC, Pericles was given control of Athens' strategy.
He adopted a defensive position whereby Athens was hemmed in on land but had control of the seas. After Athens suffered the ravages of the plague and military failures in 430 BC, however, he was deposed and died of the plague himself the following year.
