Today's Passage
This passage comes from Alcibiades' speech to the Athenian assembly in 415 BCE, defending his appointment as co-commander of the Sicilian Expedition alongside Nicias and Lamachus.
Crawley Translation (1910)
“Athenians, I have a better right to command than others—I must begin with this as Nicias has attacked me—and at the same time I believe myself to be worthy of it. The things for which I am abused, bring fame to my ancestors and to myself, and to the country profit besides. The Hellenes, after expecting to see our city ruined by the war, concluded it to be even greater than it really is, by reason of the magnificence with which I represented it at the Olympic games, when I sent into the lists seven chariots, a number never before entered by any private person, and won the first prize, and was second and fourth, and took care to have everything else in a style worthy of my victory. Custom regards such displays as honourable, and they cannot be made without leaving behind them an impression of power. Again, any splendour that I may have exhibited at home in providing choruses or otherwise, is naturally envied by my fellow citizens, but in the eyes of foreigners has an air of strength as in the other instance. And this is no useless folly, when a man at his own private cost benefits not himself only, but his city: nor is it unfair that he who prides himself on his position should refuse to be upon an equality with the rest. He who is badly off has his misfortunes all to himself, and as we do not see men courted in adversity, on the like principle a man ought to accept the insolence of prosperity; or else, let him first mete out equal measure to all, and then demand to have it meted out to him. What I know is that persons of this kind and all others that have attained to any distinction, although they may be unpopular in their lifetime in their relations with their fellow-men and especially with their equals, leave to posterity the desire of claiming connection with them even without any ground, and are vaunted by the country to which they belonged, not as strangers or ill-doers, but as fellow-countrymen and heroes. Such are my aspirations, and however I am abused for them in private, the question is whether any one manages public affairs better than I do. Having united the most powerful states of Peloponnese, without great danger or expense to you, I compelled the Lacedaemonians to stake their all upon the issue of a single day at Mantinea; and although victorious in the battle, they have never since fully recovered confidence.
Modern Translation
Fellow Athenians, I have a stronger claim to command than others—I must start here since Nicias has criticized me—and I genuinely believe I deserve this position. The very things for which I'm criticized bring glory to my ancestors and myself, while also benefiting our city. The Greeks, who expected Athens to be devastated by the war, now think our power exceeds reality because of my magnificent display at the Olympic Games. There I entered seven chariots—more than any private citizen before—and won first place, came in second and fourth, ensuring everything else matched the grandeur of my victory. Tradition considers such displays honorable, and they inevitably create an impression of power. Similarly, any splendor I've shown at home—sponsoring dramatic choruses and such—naturally provokes envy among fellow citizens, but to foreign eyes it projects strength. This isn't pointless extravagance when someone uses private wealth to benefit not just himself but his entire city. Nor is it unjust for someone proud of his achievements to reject being treated as everyone's equal. After all, the unfortunate man bears his miseries alone, and since we don't see people seeking friendship with those in distress, by the same logic one should accept the arrogance that comes with success—or else first treat everyone equally before demanding equal treatment in return. I know that people like me, and all who achieve distinction, may be unpopular during their lifetimes, especially among their peers. Yet they leave future generations eager to claim kinship with them, even without justification, and their homeland celebrates them not as outsiders or wrongdoers, but as fellow citizens and heroes. These are my ambitions. Whatever private criticism I face, the real question is whether anyone manages public affairs more effectively than I do. I united Peloponnese's most powerful states without significant risk or cost to you, forcing the Spartans to gamble everything on a single day's battle at Mantinea. Though they won that engagement, they've never fully regained their confidence since.
Historical Context
This passage comes from Alcibiades' speech to the Athenian assembly in 415 BCE, defending his appointment as co-commander of the Sicilian Expedition alongside Nicias and Lamachus. Nicias had just spoken against the expedition and indirectly criticized Alcibiades' youth and extravagance. Alcibiades responds by turning his alleged vices into virtues, arguing that his personal magnificence enhances Athens' reputation internationally. He references his spectacular showing at the Olympic Games of 416 BCE and his role in orchestrating the anti-Spartan alliance that led to the Battle of Mantinea in 418 BCE. This speech exemplifies the intersection of personal ambition and public policy in Athenian democracy, while showcasing Alcibiades' rhetorical brilliance and controversial character.
Key Themes
Annotations & References
Olympic Games and Politics
Alcibiades' seven-chariot entry at Olympia in 416 BCE was unprecedented for a private citizen. Such displays served as diplomatic tools, projecting state power through individual wealth. His victories enhanced Athens' prestige throughout the Greek world.
Learn more →Liturgies in Athens
Wealthy Athenians performed liturgies—public services at private expense—including financing dramatic choruses (choregia). These obligations demonstrated civic virtue while allowing elites to display wealth and compete for honor.
Learn more →Battle of Mantinea
The 418 BCE battle where Sparta defeated the Argive-Athenian alliance. Despite tactical victory, Sparta's narrow escape from disaster revealed vulnerabilities, supporting Alcibiades' claim about their shaken confidence.
Learn more →Athenian Democratic Culture
Alcibiades' defense reveals tensions in democratic Athens between egalitarian ideals and aristocratic excellence. His argument that exceptional individuals deserve special recognition challenged democratic equality while appealing to Athenian ambitions.
Learn more →Parallel Ancient Sources
Plutarch: Life of Alcibiades (Chapters 11-13)
Plutarch provides vivid details about Alcibiades' Olympic victories and extravagant lifestyle, including how he borrowed sacred vessels for private banquets, illustrating the personality behind this speech.
Read passage →Andocides: Against Alcibiades (Oration 4.25-29)
This contemporary attack on Alcibiades provides hostile perspective on his Olympic display, accusing him of corruption and violence, offering counterpoint to his self-presentation here.
Read passage →Isocrates: Team of Horses (Sections 32-34)
Written for Alcibiades' son, this speech defends his father's Olympic expenditures as patriotic service, echoing and expanding the arguments Alcibiades makes here about private wealth serving public glory.
Read passage →Discussion Questions
- How does Alcibiades transform potential weaknesses (youth, extravagance, ambition) into arguments for his leadership? Is his reasoning convincing?
- What does this speech reveal about the relationship between individual achievement and collective benefit in democratic Athens?
- How does Alcibiades' concept of equality challenge or support democratic values? Consider his argument about accepting 'the insolence of prosperity.'
- What role should personal character play in selecting military commanders? How might Nicias and Alcibiades answer this differently?