Why is Alcibiades important?

Why is Alcibiades important?

Alcibiades, (born c. 450 bce, Athens [Greece]—died 404, Phrygia [now in Turkey]), 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).

What was the occupation of Decelea?

With advice from Alcibiades in 415 BCE, the former Athenian general wanted on Athenian charges of religious crimes, the Spartans and their allies, under king Agis II, fortified Decelea as a major military post in the later stage of the Peloponnesian War, giving them control of rural Attica and cutting off the primary …

How does Thucydides describe Alcibiades?

In ancient Greece, Alcibiades was a polarizing figure. According to Thucydides, Alcibiades, being “exceedingly ambitious”, proposed the expedition in Sicily in order “to gain in wealth and reputation by means of his successes”.

What does Socrates want from Alcibiades?

Alcibiades, Socrates guesses, wants to rule the world, and Alcibiades, in effect, confirms this statement because he doesn’t deny it. The very statement of this staggering ambition, a young kid who literally wants to rule the world, would seem to put Socrates and Alcibiades farther apart.

Why did the Spartans fortify Decelea?

During the later years of the Peloponnesian War (431–404 bce) the Spartans fortified themselves at Decelea, using it as a base to harass the Athenians, encourage sedition, and cut them off from the port of Oropus and their silver mines at Laurium.

What happened to nicias?

However, they were cut off and he and his Athenian army were overwhelmed and defeated. His army was almost wiped out, and though Nicias was respected by Gylippus who wanted to bring him back to Sparta, Nicias was nevertheless assassinated by allies of Syracuse.

Why did Alcibiades fall in love with Socrates?

Alcibiades, as the younger, handsome man, would be expected to be the loved one of Socrates, and Socrates would be expected to pursue him in order to gain sexual gratification. Alcibiades finds none of his advances working, and ends up switching roles, where he becomes the lover in hot pursuit of Socrates.

Is Alcibiades in love with Socrates?

Alcibiades was so in love with Socrates—“it was obvious,” the Symposium (222c1–2) tells us—that when asked to speak of love, he speaks of his beloved.

What is Epiteichismos?

Generally, historians who deal with ancient Greek history and thereby tackle the Peloponnesian War have mostly failed to recognize the full significance or import of the Epiteichismos (Greek; “to build upon”) strategy and its contribution to the rise and the imperialistic ambition of Athens, and Athens’ subsequent …

Who is Nicias in Athens?

Nicias, (died 413 bc, Sicily [now in Italy]), Athenian politician and general during the Peloponnesian War (431–404 bc) between Sparta and Athens. He was in charge of the Athenian forces engaged in the siege of Syracuse, Sicily, and the failure of the siege contributed greatly to the ultimate defeat of Athens.

When was Nicias born?

c.470
The Archidamian War. Although Nicias, the son of Niceratus, was born in c. 470 and was about forty years old when the Archidamian War between Sparta and Athens broke out in 431, we know hardly anything about his early career.

  • August 6, 2022