A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

Education of Pericles i8r
It was Anaxagoras of Clazomenae who had most to do
vv'ith forming Pericles' style, teaching him an elevation
and sublimity of expression beyond that of ordinary popu-
lar speakers, and altogether purifying and ennobling his
mind. This Anaxagoras was called Intelligence, by the
men of that time, either because they admired his own intellect,
or because he taught that an abstract intelligence
is to be traced in all the concrete forms of matter, and that
His
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to this, and not to chance, the universe owes its origin.
Pericles greatly admired Anaxagoras, and became His dignified
deeply interested in these grand speculations, which gave tory!
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him a haughty spirit and a lofty style of oratory far re- /j. 5
moved from vulgarity and low buffoonery, and also an
imperturbable gra\aty of countenance, and a calmness of
demeanor and appearance which no incident could disturb
as he was speaking, while the tone of his voice never showed
that he heeded any interruption. These advantages
greatly impressed the people. Once he sat quietly all
day in the market-place despatching some pressing business,
reviled in the foulest terms all the while by some
low worthless fellow.
Towards evening he walked home,
the man following him and heaping abuses upon him.
When about to enter his own door, as it was dark, he
ordered one of his servants to take a torch and light the
man home. . . .
II.
His Statesmanship
Pericles when young greatly feared the people. He had Reluctant to
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a certain personal Hkeness to the despot Peisistratus; and politics,
as his own voice was sweet, and he was ready and fluent /^ ^
m speech, old men who had known Peisistratus were struck
by his resemblance to him. He was also rich, of noble
birth, and had powerful friends, so that he feared he