Nicias was a conservative, peace-loving, solid citizen. Alcibiades however, disliked the limitations that morality and religion imposed, and this made him a rival of Nicias. The fact that Nicias was the special representative of Spartan interests at At hens particularly aggravated Alcibiades. Alcibiades thought he should have held the position instead of Nicias. His personal anger against Sparta and his jealousy of Nicias motivated him as the leader of the opposing faction. This faction urged the format ion of anti-Spartan alliances in a new Peloponnesian league.

When Sparta heard Athens was contemplating an Argive alliance, the people of Sparta sent envoys to speak to the Assembly and settle any problems. Alcibiades, who was trusted by the Spartans, advised these delegates not to inform the Assembly that they came with full powers like they had told the Council. The Spartans fell into this trap, and Nicias’ hopes of a peaceful settlement were gone due to Alcibiades interference. The Athenians, who were upset by th e lies of the Spartans, entered into a defensive alliance with Argos. Alcibiades’ actions were done not only at the expense of Nicias, but also at the expense of the state.

Alcibiades and Nicias came into conflict again when deciding whether or not to make the Sicilian expedition. Alcibiades favored the expedition in hopes of expanding into a Mediterranean empire. Nicias on the other hand, tried to persuade his countr ymen to reconsider their decision to undertake the expedition. Before the expedition had begun, one night the Hermae, the stone pillars with carved heads found at the doors of the temples of the city, were damaged. When trying to discover who was responsi ble for the crime, evidence surfaced regarding the mutilation of other statues as well as evidence of Alcibiades and others "having profanely acted the sacred mysteries at a drunken meeting" (Plutarch 165). When Alcibiades was found guilty of these charge s, the public turned against him, but the sailors of the expedition declared that they were traveling to Sicily on his account only, and they would not participate in the expedition if he was ill-treated. Because of the loyalty of the sailors to Alcibiade s, his enemies changed their tactics and declared that his trial should be postponed until his return from the expedition. Alcibiades wanted the opportunity to clear himself of the charges immediately, but he was commanded to sail instead. After they had set sail on the expedition, however, the Athenians became convinced that the mutilations had a hidden meaning of treason and recalled Alcibiades from the expedition. After hearing that the Assembly "had convicted him of sacrilege, condemned him to death, confiscated his property, and decreed a solemn curse upon his name" his o nly comment was "I will make them feel that I am alive" (Hopkinson 69).

For Alcibiades, this was the last straw. This treatment by the people of his country dissolved any patriotism that he had left for his country. His disloyalty to his country, which was to follow, was in direct relation to his treatment by his count rymen.

Alcibiades headed back from the expedition as if obeying his summons to Athens, but ended up in Sparta to seek his revenge. Under the advice of Alcibiades, the aid sent to Syracuse and the occupation of Decelea helped make Sparta victorious and led to the ruin of Athens.

Athenian allies grew ready to desert Athens with the promise of Spartan aid. Throughout the following war, Alcibiades consistently lent hints to Spartan admirals, and additionally, aided the Peloponnesian cause with the resources and prestige of Persia. Alcibiades heard of Spartans who wanted to kill him because of their jealousy. As relations between Sparta and Persia became strained, Alcibiades began working more closely with Tisaphernes of Persia. Tisaphernes, who disliked Greeks, was won over by the flatteries of Alcibiades. Alcibiades convinced Tisaphernes to wear out the Athenians and Spartans until they were both ready to submit to him. As the Athenians began rethinking the sentence against Alcibiades, Alcibiades realized that if Athens was destroyed, he would fall into the hands of his enemies. Alcibiades' acts became self serving. He realized that if he could guarantee that the Phoenician fleet would never enter in to the Aegean, perhaps his countrymen would once again look upon him favorably. He began his manipulation by introducing the idea of changing the Athenian constitution and working for an alliance with Persia in order to save Athens. When Tisaphernes was asked about the alliance, he began to favor Sparta and the negotiations of Athens failed. The revolution which followed ended with the sailors and soldiers "renewing oaths to the ancient constitution," declaring themselves independent of the new government, and recalling Alcibiades (Hopkinson 75). Now that he had accomplished his revenge, pride and patriotism restrained him from returning to Athens. Instead, he found himself under arrest when he went to boast to Tisaphernes of the victory he had helped Athens win. He escaped, however, and after rejoining the Athenian fleet, led it to victory against the Spartans.

The people of Athens welcomed Alcibiades home, fully restored his rights, returned his property, and revoked the curse that had been placed upon him. Without reprehension, Alcibiades invited the people of his country to forget the past and look with courage and hope to the future. In order to resolve the last blemish of impiety, he restored the ancient Eleusinian rites that he had mocked in his youth. This restored Alcibiades’ favor of the gods and men.

It is possible that Alcibiades felt his patriotism so strongly that he would do anything in order to return to his city. It is more likely, however, that his loyalty and allegiance to his community was initially destroyed by his anger when his countrymen invoked a curse upon him. His treasonous acts were driven by this anger. However, when he tired of Sparta and was helping his native country once again, his actions were completely self-serving. He simply wanted to return to his native country and have his rights restored.

Hopkinson, Leslie White. Greek Leaders. Boston: The University Press Cambridge, 1918.

Plutarch. Twelve Lives. Translated by John Dryden. Cleveland: Fine Editions Press, 1950.