Pericles' Citizenship Law: Who Got to Be Athenian

Ancient Greece: Philosophy, Democracy, and Endless War — Fexingo History · Jun 23, 2026 · 4m · transcript

In 451/450 BCE, Pericles pushed through a law that redefined Athenian identity: only those with both a mother and father of Athenian descent could be citizens. This episode explores the law's origins, its impact on families and politics, and how it shaped the democracy we think we know. We look at the case of Pericles' own son, who was almost denied citizenship, and the law's role in creating a closed, elite society even as Athens championed openness. Featuring the story of Aspasia, Pericles' partner, who could never be a citizen, and the later relaxation of the law during…