Pericles successfully led the government of Athens for over 30 years using direct democracy. In direct democracy, all citizens can vote on laws and policies, whereas in a representative democracy citizens elect others to make laws. Direct democracy worked in Athens because of its small population of around 34,000 citizens, of which only 6,000 typically participated. Pericles' funeral speech inspired Athens by reminding them of the power of democracy and encouraging them to continue fighting in the Peloponnesian War, though this war ultimately weakened all of Greece and left the city-states unable to unite against future invaders.
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