Final answer:
Pericles was a leading figure in the Athenian Golden Age, introducing democratic reforms and extolling the virtues of Athens' political system even as the city-state maintained imperialistic practices. His policies allowed poorer citizens to participate in governance, but his tenure also saw Athens prosper at the expense of allied cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prominent politician of the Athenian era who dominated Athenian politics and was a companion of Aspasia was Pericles. As a consummate orator and advisor, Pericles was central in advancing the Athenian Golden Age and shaping its democratic institutions.
He implemented policies like the misthophoria, which allowed even the poorer citizens to serve in public office by receiving a salary, greatly democratizing the political process. The Athenian society was characterized by its strong democratic ideals and emphasis on public speaking and deliberative assembly as described by Thucydides in his account of the Peloponnesian War, where Pericles praises the Athenian constitution's fairness and inclusivity.
The irony in Pericles' funeral speech, which extolled the virtues of Athenian democracy and equality, is highlighted by the contrast between these ideals and the reality of Athens' imperialistic tendencies under his own leadership.
This includes the expansion of the Delian League and Athens' reliance on wealth and power derived from its 'allied' city-states. While Pericles did strengthen democratic governance within Athens, this period of prosperity was simultaneously marked by exploitation of other Greek cities to maintain Athens' dominant position.