The path towards the development of a democratic society is often hindered by social unrest due to the influence of the status quo on the instruments of power. Before Solon's reign, Athens suffered from the same rule, as there was much discontent among the Athenian social classes. The society suffered from financial disparity which was often the trigger for the war between the rich and the poor in the society. This was a major factor that forced the ruling Solon to institute policies that would see a reformed Athens. In doing so, society was seeking a path that would ensure democracy and a just society for all. The city-state of Athens was the epicenter of revolution for Athenian democracy during the 5th century BC. In Athenian democracy, the electorate voted for legislation based on bills instead of a direct democracy where voters are in charge to elect the representatives who subsequently developed the bill. Among the first peoples who made a significant contribution to the development of Athenian democracy were Solon (594 BC), Cleisthenes (508/7 BC), Pericles (495 – 429 BC) and Ephialtes (462 BC). Pericles was the longest-serving democratic leader who contributed a lot to the development of democracy in the city. This article will give an account of the age of Pericles. No one would deny that Pericles was the foremost Greek statesman and spokesman during the Golden Age. His contribution was widely felt during the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, having gained power from his family connection with the Alcmaeonid family. He commanded much respect from the citizens of Athens and Thucydides described him as "the first citizen of Athens". He was born about 495 BC north of Athens in the... middle of paper... .establishment (John 2.37)." American Journal of Philology 125, no. 4 (2004): 539-561. Bowden, Hugh "Thucydides, Pericles, and Periclean Imperialism." The International History Review 34, no. 3 (2012): 606-607.Bowra, CM. Pericles Athens. Pericles and Athens. London: Hodder & Stoughton for English Universities Press, 1948. Clarke, Fiona and Mark Bergin. Greece in the time of Pericles: Simon & Schuster, 1909. Kagan, Athens of Democracy. New York: Free Press;, 1991.Podlecki, Anthony J.. Perikles and His Circle. London: Routledge, 1998. Raaflaub, Kurt A. and Josiah Ober. Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece of California Press, 2007.Robinson, Charles Alexander. Athens in the Age of Pericles. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959.