Plutarch vs. Pericles? Need help with Midterm studies!?

Question

What are the main virtues of Athens as described by Pericles, or Sparta as described by Plutarch? How do the city-states differ?

Answer 1

Pericles was a Greek statesman and the leader of the Athenian government for more than 30 years. During that period it was called the "Age of Pericles" which stood for all that was magnificent in art and science of the ancient world. He was educated by the greatest philosophers. Pericles became leader of the popular democratic party and made many changes as head of the state. Public officials had never been paid before, but he introduced salaries, first for elected officials and later for all officers. Pericles made his greatest reform by allowing the common people to serve in any state office.

Athens signed a 30 year peace treaty with Sparta allowing Athens to keep Acgina, Euboea, and other cities of the Delian League. But Pericles feared there could be no peace with Sparta, for the Spartans were extremely jealous of Athenian power.

Pericles persuaded the Athenians to use money paid by the subject states to build up the Athenian navy and to beautify Athens. He employed the finest architects and sculptors to build and decorate the temples and many other structures for the glory of Athens. The state enjoyed prosperity, literature and philosophy during this period as it flourished.

Plutarch, a Greek biographer and essayist became famous for his works about Greek and Roman statesmen. He was the source of writings that became the basis of many stories and poems of the Middle Ages. He wrote essays on historical, religious and philosophical topics. He studied philosophy in Athens and later lectured in Rome, traveling through Greece and Egypt. He returned to Greece and became priest of Apollo.