Nicias (c. 470–413 BC)

Athenian politician and general. During the Peloponnesian War he negotiated the short-lived Peace of Nicias between Sparta and Athens 421 BC. He was placed in command of the Sicilian expedition 415 BC and, although opposed to it, laid siege to Syracuse. He was captured by the Syracusans and executed.

His lack of confidence and indecisiveness played a large part in the failure of the Sicilian expedition.

Nicias (lived 4th century BC)

Greek painter, active in Athens. According to the Roman writer Pliny, he was employed by the sculptor Praxiteles to paint marble statues – a common practice in ancient Greek art.