Latest / Ancient Greece: Philosophy, Democracy, and Endless War — Fexingo History
Pericles' Citizenship Law: The Athenian Identity Test
In 451 BCE, Athens passed one of the most restrictive citizenship laws in ancient history. Pericles' decree declared that only those born to two Athenian parents could be citizens, excluding children of mixed marriages. This episode explores why Pericles proposed it, how it transformed Athenian society, and its role in the Peloponnesian War. We examine the law's enforcement, its impact on women and metics, and its eventual repeal after the plague. Key figures include Pericles, Aspasia, Cimon, and the historian Plutarch. The episode also covers the law's connection to Athenian…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.