I have argued that we should accept ideas that appear in Pericles’ speeches in Thucydides as “Periclean” if they comport with our knowledge of Athenian history and Pericles’ biography, and especially if Pericles is made to repeat these ideas in Thucydides’ work. We should add to this potentially Periclean material those views or ideas that Thucydides attributes to Pericles in his narrative rather than in a speech. (For example, in 2.13 Thucydides tells us things that Pericles said in a speech, but he does not actually attempt to re-create the address. This passage thus provides a useful example of the kind of facts Thucydides might have gathered before reproducing a speech for one of the figures in his history.)

Utilizing this procedure, something like the following picture of Periclean ideas emerges:

War with Sparta is necessary and the best policy: 1.127.3 and all three speeches.

My (Pericles’) policy has not changed: 1.140.1, 2.61.2; 3.38.1 (echoed by Cleon).

Any concession to Sparta is tantamount to slavery: 1.141.1, 2.61.1, 2.62.3, 2.63.1, 2.63.3; cf. 1.140.5–141.1 (even a small concession is problematic).

Peloponnesians are inferior to Athenians at sea: 1.141.4–5, 1.142.4–9, 1.143.2, 1.143.4–5, 2.62.2.

Great honor comes from great risk/danger: 1.144.3, 2.42.4, 2.43.5.

It is important to achieve undying praise/fame/reputation: 2.43.2–3, 2.64.3–6; cf. 2.45.2 (possibly relevant negative example concerning kleos of women).

Service to the state and the state itself are more important than individual well-being: 2.43.1, 2.60.2–4, 2.61.4, 2.63.1; cf. 2.42.3.

Athenians are special and deserve to rule: 2.39.4, 2.40.4–41.4, 2.61.4.

The future will remember Athens for its power: 2.41.2–4, 2.64.3 (cf. 1.144.4).

Athenians’ land/farms/houses are not important; real power lies in the fleet/empire: 1.143.5, 2.13.2, 2.62.3; 3.46.3 (echoed by Diodotos).

Athens’ financial resources are superior to Sparta's and sufficient for the war: 1.142.1, 1.143.1, 2.13.3–6, 2.65.13.

Athens’ military resources are abundant and should encourage the Athenians to expect victory: first speech (1.143.3, etc.), 2.13.3–9, 2.65.13.

Wealth from sacred resources (treasuries, statues, etc.) is available for war but must be paid back: 2.13.3–6.

Success in war depends on surplus funds: 1.141.3–5, 1.142.1, 2.13.2–6.

Success in war depends on thoughtful planning (gnome): 2.13.2, 2.62.5.