The New Student's Reference Work/Alcibiades

Alcibiades (ăl-sĭ-bī' ȧ-dēz), one of the most brilliant of the Athenians. He was born at Athens about 450 B. C., and boasted that he was descended from the hero Ajax, and through him from Jupiter himself. He was brought up by Pericles, his guardian, and was a favorite pupil of Socrates. He was beautiful in person, had splendid abilities and energies and great ambition, but was without self-restraint and utterly selfish. Entering public life at the time of the contest with Sparta he became the leader of the war party, and persuaded the Athenians to undertake an expedition against Sicily. The night before he set out as one of the generals all the images of the god Hermes or Mercury were thrown down, and he was charged with a share in the sacrilege. No sooner had he reached Sicily than he was recalled to stand trial, but fled to Sparta and devoted all his energies to defeating his own countrymen. Soon the Spartans grew jealous of his power and influence and he was compelled to flee to the Persians. Anxious to return to his native Athens, he promised the Athenians the help of the Persians. He was recalled and made general, and won several brilliant victories, but was banished again at his first defeat. After the fall of Athens, on his way to the Persian court to seek help for his country, he was assassinated, 404 B. C.