DBQ: This adapted excerpt is from Periclesś funeral orientation, given to the people of Athens around 430 B. C.E. Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few; that is why it is called a democracy...

As for our social standing, advancement is open to everyone, according to ability. While every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public, we reward our most distinguished citizens by asking them to make our political decisions. Nor do we discriminate against the poor. A man may serve his country no matter how low his position on the social scale.

Question: What type of government was Pericles describing? What were his expectations for citizens in this type of government?

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