‘We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy; wealth we employ more for use than for show.’

These are not the words of a present-day politician who finds an audience to believe his truth. They are 2,500 years old and are attributed by Thucydides to that golden personality who is identified with democracy itself and the highpoint of art: Pericles.

From Pericles we treasure his moral stature and the fact that he enabled the artistic achievements of his time to be manifested in great works. His age remained a model throughout the centuries and continues to be the fount of panhuman values. Never before and never since have intellect and art attained in unison and so rapidly the pinnacle of their expression and harmony. As for his work as a peacemaker, it is still a symbol to this day.