Nicias, Alcibiates, and the Sicilian Expedition

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Thucydides: On Justice, Power, and Human Nature Plutarch: The Life of Nicias & The Life of Alcibiades Nicias and Alcibiades argue in front of the Athenian people over whether to undertake the expedition to Sicily in book VI. What is the position of Nicias and why? What is the position of Alcibiades? How does he justify it? Look at their behavior recorded in Thucydides and Plutarch, what do you think of their leadership of the Athenians. Thucydides: On Justice, Power, and Human Nature Plutarch: The Life of Nicias & The Life of Alcibiades Nicias and Alcibiades argue in front of the Athenian people over whether to undertake the expedition to Sicily in book VI. What is the position of Nicias and why? What is the position of Alcibiades? How does he justify it? Look at their behavior recorded in Thucydides and Plutarch, what do you think of their leadership of the Athenians. government 119b Paper #3 government 119b Paper #3 In the lead up to the expedition of Sicily, the platform for discussion centers on the two main influences in Athens at this time, Nicias and Alcibiades. Their stances on the expedition will be in complete opposite of one another, and the outcome the same. In examining their speeches we can determine their positions and their ability to influence Athens. While these objections and justifications are opposing, their motives and desires, when observed beyond words, are actually similar. They are both driven by self-interest. There difference in opinion comes from the differences they have in view of how they are to best serve those self-interests. Thus, first we need to examine the applications of the speeches themselves, and then the characteristics that drive two very distinct set of ideas that are competing for the same principle, self-sustainability When Sicilian refugees showed up in Athens 4 years after the Nicias Peace treaty

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