The policies of Pericles contributed to the expanding power and influence of the Athenian Empire because they unified Athens and made it the center point of Greece. They influenced other Greek Poleis through policies such as the introduction of the Athenian Coin and expanded their power over other Greek Poleis through increasing their Naval and Land Army. 'The aim of his statesmanship was to increase the Athenian Empire and to spread the political influence of Athens within the borders of Greece." Bury.
The sources used when discussing the Athenian Empire are primary, secondary and archaeological sources. The primary sources used are 'History of the Peloponnesian War' by Thucydides and 'Pericles' by Plutarch. These sources were written after the event occurred but still gives a clear account of what happened. The archaeological evidence used are things such as findings of the Athenian Coin and the buildings built during the time such as the Pantheon.
Picture of Parthenon I took in late afternoon. Fra...
Idealised bust of Pericles. Roman copy of the 2nd ...
Fragment of an Athenian decree concerning the coll...The modern sources are all written with the use of primary and archaeological sources. These are 'Athenian Democracy' by Robin Barrow, 'Athenian Society' by Jennifer Gibbon, 'The Athenian Empire' by Russell Meiggs, 'A history of Greece' by J.B Bury and Russell Meiggs and 'Pericles' by Gari Kenworthy.
The first policy introduced by Pericles contributed to the influence of The Athenian Empire was the opening of the Archonship to the 3rd Class, the Zeugitae and in practice even the 4th Class, the Thetes gained entrance to this office. This policy made Athens more influential because it helped to unify Athens as it took another step into democracy. "No one, not even if he is poverty-stricken, is kept out of politics if he has something to contribute..." Pericles Funeral Speech. This policy also shows their superiority over the other Greek Poleis, as they know...