At the end of the Peloponnesian War Pericles, an elder states man and builder of the democracy in Athens, at the ceremony to honor those who had fallen, gave a moving speech to remind all of Athens why these men gave their lives. In the course of this infamous speech he begins to discuss what it is that separates Athens from others. Pericles truly believes that Athens is a model to other cities if the …showed first 75 words of 2293 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2293 total…s in Antigone and not so much in Oedipus the King. All three of three of the pieces were written in times when the definition of freedom, independence, democracy were still new and not well defined in their respective societies. But still in each piece the message is similar and very clear. That message is that it is necessary and good for people to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs and the good of their society.