Western World Essay

Western World Historical Leaders

LASTING LEGACIES

Pericles (Greece , c .495-429 BC

A charismatic , eloquent , patriotic , elegant , wealthy statesman of Athens - Pericles inspired confidence , pride and respect amongst its citizens . Born 495 BC , Pericles espoused citizen participation and recognition as the true spirit of democracy and liberty

The idea that democracy was best served by involving a cross-section of the male citizenry . HYPERLINK "http /www .perseus .tufts .edu /cgi-bin /vor ?type phrase alts 0 group typec at lookup Pericles collection Perseus :collection :Greco-Roman " Pericles successfully proposed that state revenues be used

to pay a daily stipend to [poorer] men who served on juries , in the Council of the Five Hundred , and in other public offices .[but] elected generals , the most influential public officials , were to receive no stipends . rich men like HYPERLINK "http /www .perseus .tufts .edu /cgi-bin /vor ?type phrase alts 0 group typec at lookup Pericles collection Perseus :collection :Greco-Roman " Pericles won election as generals because they were supposed to have been able to afford the education and training required to handle this top job and to have the personal wealth to serve without financial compensation . They were compensated by the prestige conferred by election to their office .[he] became the most influential leader in HYPERLINK "http /www .perseus .tufts .edu /cgi-bin /vor ?type phrase alts 0 group typec at lookup Athens collection Perseus :collection :Greco-Roman " Athens [in] his era by devising innovations to strengthen the egalitarian tendencies of HYPERLINK "http /www .perseus .tufts .edu /cgi-bin /vor ?type phrase alts 0 group typec at lookup Athenian 20democracy collection Perseus :collection :Greco-Roman " Athenian democracy .remuneration for poorer men serving in public offices was an essential foundation of HYPERLINK "http /www .perseus .tufts .edu /cgi-bin /vor ?type phrase alts 0 group typec at lookup Athenian 20democracy collection Perseus :collection :Greco-Roman " Athenian democracy (Martin , 1999

Of the many other innovative features of Pericles ' leadership , his standing by the rights of others , especially , the marginalized servants of government is the most remarkable because it inspires the true exemplification of honest and compassionate governance . This is precisely as what democratic governance admonished by Abraham Lincoln is all about : of the people , by the people , FOR the people

As citizens are recognized for their contribution and participation to governance , they appreciate the responsibilities and transparency that they are enjoined to make their country work . The nobility of servitude without the lure of rewards indulges in a man a spirit of putting others first . Enlivening and propagating this legacy of Pericles ' exemplary leadership would have made modern day governments closer to the hearts of any and every man , instead of earning irony , cynicism and ridicule from disheartened citizens

King Henry II (England , b .1133-d .1189 , r .1154-1189

An intelligent and learned leader , King Henry II is more a ruler than just a king . Insightful and dynamic as he has been , King Henry II refined , revised , re-invigorated his government and made his kingdom powerful

Henry instituted many reforms to weaken traditional feudal ties and strengthen his position...