Pericles was an able general, but was most distinguished as an orator. Indeed, it was with him that oratory became a political force of the first magnitude at Athens. In this, as in many other respects, the Periclean system contained the seeds of mischief, nobly as it worked in the hands of its creator. Powerful from the dignity of his character as well as from his wisdom, and known to be incorruptible, he restrained the people with a free hand, and was their real leader instead of being led by them. For, not being a seeker of favour from unworthy sources, he did not speak with any view to present favour, but had sufficient sense of dignity to contradict the people on occasion, even braving their displeasure; so that in name it was a democracy, but in reality a government by the most eminent citizen. After his death the leading statesmen were more on a level, and in their competition for pre-eminence took to courting the people, sacrificing to that object even important state-interests.