The Golden Age of Athens, also known as the Age of Pericles, was a period of Athenian dominance and cultural flourishing in the 5th century BCE. It was a time of political hegemony, economic growth, and intellectual and artistic development. Athens became a center of culture, education, philosophy, architecture, and the performing arts.

Leadership:
Pericles, a great orator and statesman, led Athens from 461–429 BCE. He rebuilt temples destroyed in the Persian Wars, including the Parthenon, and used the Delian League to build an Athenian empire.

Arts and culture:
Athenians valued aesthetics, logic, and order. They enjoyed theater, poetry, and drama, and produced fine architecture and sculpture. Phidias was a celebrated sculptor who created gold-plated ivory statues of Athena and Zeus.

Philosophy:
The Golden Age saw some of the most renowned Western philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Pottery:
Athens made significant achievements in Attic vase painting, with elaborate decorations and illustrations that conveyed a sense of harmony and permanence.

End of the Golden Age:
Athens' military campaign against the Peloponnesian League eventually ended the Golden Age.