# Alcibiades

> Athenian statesman

**Wikidata**: [Q187982](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q187982)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcibiades)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alcibiades

## Summary
Alcibiades was an Athenian statesman, military leader, and Olympic champion known for his strategic brilliance during the Peloponnesian War. He is most famous for his role in the Battle of Potidaea (431 BCE) and his controversial political career, which included serving as a general and later as a diplomat.

## Biography
- **Born**: -450 BCE (approximate)
- **Nationality**: Athenian (Classical Athens)
- **Education**: Not explicitly mentioned in the source material
- **Known for**: Leading Athenian forces in the Peloponnesian War and winning the Olympic tethrippon (4-horse chariot) race
- **Employer(s)**: Classical Athens (primary affiliation)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, military strategy, chariot racing

## Contributions
- **Battle of Potidaea (431 BCE)**: Led Athenian forces to a decisive victory against Sparta, securing Athenian dominance in the early stages of the Peloponnesian War.
- **Olympic Champion (4-horse chariot)**: Won the tethrippon event in the ancient Olympics, demonstrating his athletic prowess alongside his political and military achievements.

## FAQs
- **What was Alcibiades' primary role in the Peloponnesian War?**
  Alcibiades served as a general for Athens, leading key battles and shaping early military strategies against Sparta.

- **Did Alcibiades have any notable athletic achievements?**
  Yes, he won the Olympic tethrippon (4-horse chariot) race, showcasing his physical abilities alongside his political and military career.

- **What was Alcibiades' nationality?**
  He was an Athenian citizen, born and active in Classical Athens.

## Why They Matter
Alcibiades' military and political leadership during the Peloponnesian War had a direct impact on the early stages of the conflict, influencing Athenian strategy and morale. His Olympic victory highlights his versatility as a public figure, blending athletics, politics, and warfare. His legacy endures in ancient Greek history as a symbol of both strategic brilliance and controversial leadership.

## Notable For
- **Olympic Champion**: Won the tethrippon event in the ancient Olympics.
- **Military Leader**: Played a pivotal role in the Battle of Potidaea (431 BCE).
- **Athenian Statesman**: Served in key political and diplomatic capacities during the Peloponnesian War.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alcibiades was born in Classical Athens, around 450 BCE. Little is known about his early education, but his later achievements suggest a well-rounded upbringing in both military and political training.

### Military and Political Career
Alcibiades' most significant military contribution was his leadership in the Battle of Potidaea (431 BCE), where he commanded Athenian forces to victory against Sparta. His strategic decisions during this battle helped secure early Athenian dominance in the Peloponnesian War.

### Athletic Achievements
Beyond politics and warfare, Alcibiades was an Olympic champion, winning the tethrippon (4-horse chariot) race. This victory underscores his physical prowess and public image as a multifaceted individual.

### Legacy
Alcibiades' legacy is tied to his dual role as a warrior and statesman. His military successes and Olympic triumph highlight his ability to excel in multiple domains, making him a unique figure in ancient Greek history. His actions during the Peloponnesian War shaped the early course of the conflict, influencing later military strategies and political decisions.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Prosopographia Attica](http://www.archive.org/stream/prosopographiaa00kircgoog#page/n55/mode/2up)
3. Source
4. Alcibiades
5. Q45177920
6. [Source](http://www.sportolimpico.it/dmdocuments/GO-ANTICHI-2.pdf)
7. BnF authorities
8. Athénée de Naucratis: Les deipnosophistes, Livres I et II. A. M. Desrousseaux
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. Description of Greece
12. CERL Thesaurus
13. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
14. Enciclopedia Treccani
15. LIBRIS
16. Dizionario di Storia
17. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
18. WikiKids