Pericles was born in Athens, Greece, in the year 495 BCE. His father, Xanthippus, was a respected politician and a brave war hero. His mother, Agariste, came from a powerful and influential family in Athens. With his family's wealth and status, Pericles had the opportunity to pursue a good education and study many different subjects.

As a young boy, Pericles showed a love for learning and spent a lot of time reading and studying. He was especially interested in philosophy, which is the study of important ideas about life and how to live. Unlike many others at the time, Pericles believed that philosophy could help guide people's thoughts and actions and make their lives better.

Pericles was known for being quiet and introverted in his early years. He didn't like being in the public eye and preferred to focus on his studies. Some people later claimed that his companion, Aspasia, helped him with his speaking skills, but Pericles had already shown talent in public speaking even before he met her. Unfortunately, some of his political opponents used this claim to insult him, saying that a woman was responsible for his success instead of his own abilities.

Despite his shyness, Pericles became involved in politics in the 460s BCE. He prosecuted a case against his rival, Cimon, accusing him of corruption. Although he didn't win the case, it showed that Pericles was already making his mark in Athenian politics.

In 431 BCE, the tensions between Athens and Sparta erupted into the First Peloponnesian War. Pericles was the leader of Athens during this war. He had a plan known as the "Periclean Strategy." He believed that Athens, with its strong navy and protective walls, could withstand a long war against Sparta.

Pericles led Athens through battles against Sparta, but neither side gained a significant advantage. In 449 BCE, a truce was finally agreed upon with the help of Cimon, who had returned from his exile. The truce allowed Pericles to focus on other areas, such as cultural initiatives in Athens.

The First Peloponnesian War highlighted the power struggle between Athens and Sparta and the growing rivalry between these two city-states. It set the stage for future conflicts and wars between them.

Overall, Pericles played a crucial role in Athens' political scene and its relationship with other Greek city-states. He pushed for democratic reforms, expanded the power of the popular assembly, and led Athens through a challenging war. His leadership and influence shaped the destiny of Athens during a critical period in Greek history.

After the truce with Sparta, tensions between Athens and Sparta continued to grow. In 431 BCE, Athens and its allies entered into the Second Peloponnesian War. This war would be much longer and more destructive than the first one. Pericles was still the leader of Athens at the start of the war.

Athens had a strong navy, while Sparta had a powerful army. Pericles believed that Athens could withstand a long war by relying on its navy and the defensive walls that protected the city. He implemented a strategy known as the "Periclean Strategy," which involved bringing people from the countryside into the walled city of Athens and relying on its navy to maintain control over the sea. 

However, the war took a devastating toll on Athens. In 430 BCE, a terrible plague struck the city, including Pericles himself. The plague caused widespread death and suffering among the Athenian population. Despite the difficult circumstances, Pericles continued to lead and inspire the people of Athens.

Unfortunately, in 429 BCE, Pericles succumbed to the plague and passed away. His death was a significant loss for Athens, as he had been a strong and respected leader. Without Pericles, Athens faced challenges in its leadership and decision-making during the rest of the war.

After Pericles' death, Athens made a series of strategic mistakes and experienced a decline in its fortunes. The Spartan army, led by their general Lysander, eventually defeated Athens in 404 BCE. The city's walls were torn down, its fleet was destroyed, and Athens fell under the rule of Sparta.

Despite Athens' defeat, Pericles' legacy endured. His emphasis on democracy, his support for the arts and culture, and his vision for Athens as a great city-state left a lasting impact. Even though Athens faced hardships after Pericles' death, the ideals he promoted continued to shape the development of democratic systems in later civilizations. The cultural achievements of the Golden Age of Athens, which thrived under Pericles' leadership, continue to inspire people and are considered some of the greatest contributions to human civilization.