Alcibiades (451/0–404/3 BC)

Athenian politician and general during the Peloponnesian War. In 415 BC Alcibiades was appointed one of the commanders of an Athenian expedition against Sicily, but was recalled to answer charges of sacrilege and fled to Sparta. Further scandal led to his flight to Persia, but he rehabilitated himself with the Athenians and played a leading part at Cyzicus in 410 BC. He was given command of Athenian forces in Asia Minor but was replaced after his lieutenant's defeat off Notium in 407 BC. He was murdered shortly after the war.

Alcibiades was a ward of Pericles and a friend of Socrates. He married Hipparete. During his military career he was instrumental in creating the alliance of Athens with Argos, Mantinea, and Elis against Sparta in 420 BC. He was general in 419 BC, and in 416 BC commanded the forces which conquered the island of Melos.