Pericles (c. 495–429 BC)

Athenian politician under whom Athens reached the height of power. He persuaded the Athenians to reject Sparta's ultimata in 432 BC, and was responsible for Athenian strategy in the opening years of the Peloponnesian War. His policies helped to transform the Delian League into an empire, but the disasters of the Peloponnesian War led to his removal from office in 430 BC. Although quickly reinstated, he died soon after.

His real influence began in the late 460s BC with the ostracism of Cimon and the assassination of the democratic reformer Ephialtes, and he was probably behind much of Athens' imperialist foreign policy in the 450s and 440s. Despite being repeatedly elected general, his military role was comparatively minor. He led a sweep into the eastern Mediterranean in the late 460s, won a victory near Sikyon and unsuccessfully attacked Oeniadae in 454, suppressed a revolt in Euboea in 446, helped to suppress one in Samos in 440/39, and led an undated expedition to the Black Sea.