[Born at Athens, B.C. 450. Died in Phrygia, B.C. 404. Aged 45.]
The nephew of Pericles, in whose house he was brought up. He was
beautiful in his youth, and he maintained his beauty throughout life,--a
personal advantage of which he was not a little conscious. He was the
pupil of Socrates, towards whom he entertained a sincere regard and
friendship to the last. He entered early into the service of the
Republic, and soon distinguished himself by his eloquence and feats of
arms. Accused of irreligion, he quitted Athens and took refuge in
Sparta, where he betrayed the designs of his country, and also abused
the hospitality of the Spartan king. Returning to Athens he gained
several victories at the head of her armies, and recovered his position,
but only to lose it again in consequence of his ill-success in an
expedition against Andros. By order of the “Thirty Tyrants,” established
by Lysander in Athens, he was at length assassinated. Alcibiades was
remarkable for activity, eloquence, and address. He was very plausible,
very versatile, very unscrupulous, and a great dissembler. His unabashed
audacity was matchless, but it was relieved, as well as heightened, by
good nature, and good humour. He was also selfish, and ambitious, and
inordinately vain. He had a slight defect in his speech, and could not
pronounce the letter R.
[From the marble in the Sala delle Muse of the Vatican. It has upon it
the first four letters of Alcibiades’ name. By an inferior artist, and
probably of a late date. It conveys no idea of the beauty of this
fiery-hearted soldier. No. 24A is a much finer head, but is not
entitled to the same confidence as a portrait. Alcibiades is said to
have been the model for Cupids and Mercuries in his youth. He received
all the honours of portraiture from the Athenians, who made several
statues of him in bronze, and the Romans placed his statue in the
Forum by the side of one of Pythagoras.]
24A. ALCIBIADES. _Athenian General._