The Athenians put their faith in that sign, and their efforts into building something both beautiful and strong in her honour.īut Athens was, in fact, nearing the end of its power as a city-state.

There is a legend that when Athena's temple was destroyed in the Persian Wars, a tiny olive shoot (the olive was her special tree) sprouted on the temple site as a sign of hope and rebirth. The goddess Athena (also called Pallas Athena) for whom Athens was named, wore armour and was called the goddess of victory, but she was also in charge of wisdom and the arts.

Athens was ruled by an assembly of male citizens, with the intention that all their voices should be heard equally. The Athenians believed that everyone could and should contribute to the life of the city: because the city wasn't where they lived, they were the city. The city-state of Athens had a system of democratic government (government 'by the people') which was unusual at that time.

The 'Golden Age' is also called the 'Age of Pericles,' after the Athenian leader Pericles, who lived from 495-429 B.C. When Nicias was born, the Greeks were entering a 'Golden Age,' particularly in the city-state of Athens. This word comes from the Latin timor, meaning 'fear.' It usually signifies someone who is timid or nervous, lacking confidence or, more positively, it could mean 'humble' or 'cautious.' The theme of Nicias' timorousness, and how it affects his leadership, is something to watch through the story. He had inherited wealth from his family he was by nature generous and pious, although not particularly sociable and he seemed to be the natural leader of the aristocratic party after the death of Pericles. What we know of Nicias' early life comes mostly from Plutarch.

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Piece of Nicias by Francis J. Coyle