The lives of Alcibiades and Gaius Marcius Coriolanus present the sad spectacle of great talent and ability twisted to bad ends.
Both were generals and leading citizens, but each joined with the enemy and bore arms against his own people.
Alcibiades…
was born in Athens around 450 b.c.e. and was famously handsome. As a youth, he showed great potential, but it was unclear whether he would use his gifts for good. He was easily led astray by pleasure and enjoyment. His ambition was darkened by arrogance and a desire to prove his superiority over others. Seeing these faults, the philosopher Socrates attempted to teach him virtue and moderation. For some time, Alcibiades was devoted to his tutor. Each even saved the life of the other in battle, but Socrates could not restrain Alcibiades’ vices.
Alcibiades was jealous of anyone who had a grander reputation than his own. For example, out of envy, he resolved to break the peace treaty with Sparta that had been negotiated by a leading general and politician named Nicias. He accused Nicias of incompetence and corruption, while working to gain influence with the Spartans himself. Once he gained their trust, he then betrayed them, plunging his country into war to gratify his own ambition. He was a gifted general and orator, but his lavish and excessive lifestyle offended many.
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