Alcibiades

Family: Athens · Role: statesman · First appears: Lycurgus

Alcibiades was said to be descended on his father’s side from Eurysaces and on his mother’s from Alcmaeon. His mother was Dinomache, his father Clinias, and his nurse was Amycla, a Lacedaemonian; after Clinias was slain at Coronea, Pericles and Ariphron became his guardians. Pericles was also his preceptor, while Zopyrus served as his mentor. He formed a friendship with Socrates, whose addresses corrected him when luxury or pride misled him and made him humble and modest.

Alcibiades was courted by Anytus and married Hipparete, daughter of Hipponicus, after Hipponicus forgave him for striking him. He was a favorite in the house of Democrates, favored Antiochus after the latter’s service, and was befriended by Diomedes. In public life he rivaled Nicias and Phaeax, joined Nicias and Alcibiades in turning the ostracism against Hyperbolus, and was opposed by enemies including Phrynichus, Antiphon, Androcles, and Thessalus. He also quarreled with Hipponicus, while Agis hated him for dishonoring his wife; his familiarity with Timaea, the wife of Agis, became suspected, and a child born to her was whispered to be his.

When Athens decreed war against Sicily, Alcibiades was appointed general with Nicias and Lamachus. He opposed Nicias over the conduct of the war, but sailed to Sicily, took Catana, and was soon recalled to stand trial; after he failed to appear, he was condemned in absentia, his property confiscated, and curses pronounced against him. He defected to Sparta and persuaded the Spartans to send aid to Syracuse, but later placed himself under Tisaphernes. He was assisted by Thrasybulus, while Critias helped bring about a decree recalling him; the Athenians restored his estate, absolved him from the curses, and made him supreme general. He obtained the alliance of Argos and Mantinea, served with Thrasyllus, and fought Mindarus and Pharnabazus, but after Lysander defeated the Athenians and captured fifteen ships, he was removed from command.

After being driven away again, Alcibiades warned enemy generals how to protect their endangered country, and he was repeatedly appointed to office and command despite the harm he had done Athens. He later lived in Phrygia with Timandra, his mistress; after escaping a burning house, he was killed by darts and arrows, and Timandra buried him. His connections also included Theodorus and Polytion in a religious performance, Anaxilaus and Lycurgus in an attempted betrayal, and Euryptolemus as his cousin.