<P> Sir Richard C. Jebb concludes that "unique as an Athenian statesman, Pericles must have been in two respects unique also as an Athenian orator; first, because he occupied such a position of personal ascendancy as no man before or after him attained; secondly, because his thoughts and his moral force won him such renown for eloquence as no one else ever got from Athenians". </P> <P> Ancient Greek writers call Pericles "Olympian" and extol his talents; referring to him "thundering and lightning and exciting Greece" and carrying the weapons of Zeus when orating . According to Quintilian, Pericles would always prepare assiduously for his orations and, before going on the rostrum, he would always pray to the Gods, so as not to utter any improper word . </P> <P> Pericles' most visible legacy can be found in the literary and artistic works of the Golden Age, most of which survive to this day . The Acropolis, though in ruins, still stands and is a symbol of modern Athens . Paparrigopoulos wrote that these masterpieces are "sufficient to render the name of Greece immortal in our world". </P> <P> In politics, Victor L. Ehrenberg argues that a basic element of Pericles' legacy is Athenian imperialism, which denies true democracy and freedom to the people of all but the ruling state . The promotion of such an arrogant imperialism is said to have ruined Athens . Pericles and his "expansionary" policies have been at the center of arguments promoting democracy in oppressed countries . </P>

Who was credited with the golden age of athens