At around 450 BC, the Athenian general Pericles was determined to gain more power by using public funds, which are the city's allies' contributions to Athens to support the city's national artist and thinker. Moreover, Pericles paid artisans to construct temples and other public buildings in Athens. He believed that by doing things in this way, building grand monuments, he would end up winning the support of the people of Athens. Such magnificent buildings would attract people from all over the world, therefore increasing the reputation of Athens and himself.
