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Alcibiades (/ ˌ æ l s ɪ ˈ b aɪ. ə d iː z / AL-sib-EYE-ə-deez; Greek: Ἀλκιβιάδης; c. 450 – 404 BC) was an Athenian statesman and general.
Jun 13, 2024 · Alcibiades, brilliant but unscrupulous Athenian politician and military commander who provoked the sharp political antagonisms at Athens that were the main causes of Athens’ defeat by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BCE).
- Russell Meiggs
- Early Life
- The Sicilian Expedition
- Advising Sparta
- A Returning Hero
Alcibiades was born in 451/450 BCE, the son of the Athenian politician Cleinias, and his mother Deinomache was from the ancient aristocratic family the Alkmeonidai. Alcibiades was also the nephew of the great Athenian statesman Pericles, and he spent his childhood in the family home of his famous uncle. As a young man, he was the pupil and friend o...
In 415 BCE Alcibiades gave a speech to persuade the Athenians to launch a military expedition to Sicily. The pretext for this expedition occurred in 416/415 BCE when Segesta, a city-state in the west of Sicily, asked Athens for help against local rival Selinus which was allied with Syracuse. Besides imperialist ambition, Alcibiades may well have be...
Alcibiades made himself useful to his new hosts and, according to his accusers in Athens, he freely gave Athenian state secrets to the Spartans. He also advised the Spartans to take by force the Athenian fortress of Dekeleia (which they did in 413 BCE). Meanwhile, the Athenian expedition in Sicily was a complete disaster with total defeat in 414 BC...
In 407 BCE Alcibiades returned to Athens in triumph, the old charges against him were dropped, and as a reward for his efforts he was made strategos autokrater once again, but this time above all other generals, the only such instance in the history of Athens. In effect then, Alcibiades was now commander-in-chief of the Athenian armed forces. Quash...
- Mark Cartwright
Alcibiades' life was filled with controversy as he navigated the turbulent seas of ancient Greek politics with an unmatched dexterity. Born into Athenian nobility and a student of the great philosopher Socrates, he became a pivotal player in the Peloponnesian War, shifting allegiances with a flair that kept friend and foe alike on their toes.
Alcibiades, (born c. 450 bc, Athens—died 404, Phrygia), Athenian politician and commander. Pericles was his guardian, his father having died in battle. Alcibiades grew up without much guidance, but as a youth he was drawn to Socrates’ moral strength and keen mind.
Nov 1, 2018 · Alcibiades was a gifted orator and ambitious Athenian aristocrat who fought in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) and had a controversial relationship with Socrates. He led the disastrous Sicilian expedition, defected to Sparta, and was eventually killed by the Thracians.
Sep 17, 2019 · Alcibiades was forced to live with Tissaphernes (445–395 BCE), a Persian soldier and statesman—Aristophanes implies Alcibiades was Tissaphernes' slave. In 412, Tissaphernes and Alcibiades deserted the Spartans to assist Athens, and the Athenians eagerly recalled Alcibiades from banishment.
