I have dwelt upon the greatness of athens because i want to show you that we are contending for a higher prize than those who enjoy none of these privileges, and to establish by manifest proof the merit of these men whom i am now commemorating. . . . in magnifying the city i have magnified them, and men like them whose virtues made her glorious. â€"pericles’s funeral oration, 431 bce what is the main idea of the underlined phrase? people who live in athens are fighting to protect their privileged way of life. those who live in athens can win more privileges by fighting. dwelling in athens does not bring greatness. enjoying athens’s privileges can lead to conflict.