Pericles’ Funeral Oration: Honoring the Fallen

llen soldiers and a display of their bodies around a large memorial before burial. While typically this speech was somber, Pericles departed from tradition by intertwining promotion of his personal values and those of Athens with his tribute to the soldiers and degradation of his enemies. This unconventional approach proved successful, as after losing power, Pericles was later reinstated as military commander for a year before death.

The Funeral Oration draws parallels to other famous speeches, such as Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Both speeches inspire feelings of nationalism, commend brave sacrifices made by soldiers, and evoke both sorrow and national pride amongst listeners in their respective societies.

Despite having different outlines, the speeches share many similarities, making it highly likely that...