During Anaxagoras's stay in Athens, Pericles rose to power. Pericles, who was about five years younger than Anaxagoras, was a military and political leader who was successful in both developing democracy and building an empire which made Athens the political and cultural centre of Greece. Anaxagoras and Pericles became friends but this friendship had its drawbacks since Pericles' political opponents also set themselves against Anaxagoras.
Sa panahon ng Anaxagoras's manatili sa Athens, Pericles rose sa kapangyarihan. Pericles, na noon ay tungkol sa limang taong mas bata sa Anaxagoras, ay isang militar at pulitikal na lider ay matagumpay sa parehong pag-unlad demokrasya at gusali ng isang imperyo na kung saan ginawa Athens ang pampulitika at kultural na sentro ng Griyego. Anaxagoras at Pericles naging kaibigan ngunit ito friendship had nito drawbacks dahil Pericles' pampulitika opponents mo ring itakda ang kanilang mga sarili laban sa Anaxagoras.