Alcibiades

Alcibiades (Greek Ἀλκιβιάδης Alkibiádēs; * c. 450 BC in Athens; † 404 BC in Phrygia) was an important Athenian statesman, orator and general. He came from the famous aristocratic families of the Alkmaionids and Eupatrids. During the second half of the Peloponnesian War, he acted as a strategic advisor, military commander, and politician. He changed sides on several occasions and was always trying to play Athens and Sparta off against each other.

In his native Athens, he advocated an aggressive foreign policy around 420 BC and was a major proponent of the Sicilian Expedition. After his political enemies accused him of Hermenfrevel, however, he fled to Sparta. There he served as a strategic advisor, proposing or leading several major campaigns against Athens. However, he soon made powerful enemies in Sparta as well and was forced to defect to the enemy in Persia. There he acted as adviser to the satrap Tissaphernes, until his political allies among the Athenians facilitated his return. He then served as an Athenian general (strategos) for several years until his enemies finally succeeded in exiling him for the second time.

Olympic Champion

At the 91st Olympic Games in 416 BC, Alcibiades sent no less than seven teams to compete in the chariot race, which is more than any private citizen ever sent to the Olympic Games of antiquity. The result was one victory, one second place and one fourth place. Thus he was also crowned Olympic champion, since in chariot racing the owner of the racing stable was honored, not the driver.