Alcibiades
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Alcibiades: (b. 450 BC; d. 404 BC). An Athenian general and statesman who rose to power in Athens after the death of Cleon. He was appointed as a co-commander, with Nicias and Demothenes, to lead the Athenian expedition against Syracuse in 415 BC. A far superior commander to the other two generals, it is likely that the ill-fated expedition would have succeeded had he not become involved in a scandal (the defacement of the Hermae of Athens). Although Alcibiades was probably innocent of the charges of sacrilege brought against him, he was forced to flee for his life. Taking refuge at Sparta, he helped that city’s army as an advisor against his home city. He later stayed for a time with the Persian Tissaphernes before being allowed to return to Athens in 407 BC. In 406 BC, he was again forced to go into exile. While in Persian-controlled Phrygia, he was killed by an assassin. With the departure of Alcibiades from the Athenian expedition, the project was ultimately doomed to failure. The loss of the expedition ultimately led to the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War.