How did Pericles feel abut social class in Athens?

Answer 1

Pericles was an aristocrat who took his mentor Ephialtes' establishment of people's rights to extremes, espousing populist causes, fomenting the expulsion of conservative opponents, and establishing extreme people-power (democracy) which he was not above using for his own benefit and that of similarly opportunistic aristocratic companions and associates.

Essentially he used social divisions and divisiveness for his own ends. However he also promoted the welfare of the lower classes which is what gained him such widespread and longstanding support.

Where the balance between self-interest and social inclusiveness lay is a conundrum which people usually view from their own socio-political biases. A similar difficulty exits with Julius Caesar - a blue-blood claiming descent from Venus, who espoused populists issues to gain and retain power.