13. The Brilliant Athenian Who Jumped From One Scandal to Another
The entire life of Alcibiades (450 – 404 BC) seemingly consisted of one scandal after another. A brilliant and unscrupulous Athenian politician and general, Alcibiades was the most dynamic, fascinating, and catastrophic Athenian leader of the Classical era. Born into a wealthy family, his father was killed when Alcibiades was a toddler, and he was raised without firm guidance. He grew into a self-indulgent man, whose gifts of brilliance and charm were counterbalanced by self-centeredness, irresponsibility, extravagance, and debauchery.
Early in the Peloponnesian War against Sparta, Alcibiades won a reputation for courage and military talent. By 420 BC he had become one of Athens’ generals, and in 415 BC, he persuaded Athens to invade Sicily and conquer Syracuse. Soon before departure, however, statues of the god Hermes were desecrated. Suspicion immediately fell upon Alcibiades, whose immoral clique had a reputation for drunken vandalism and impiety. The expedition sailed to Sicily, with a cloud hanging over its leader. When Alcibiades was eventually summoned to face trial before the Athenian Assembly, he fled and defected to Sparta.