Youth of Alcibiades

Alcibiades won three chariot races at the Olympics. He knew the people loved him for his looks and wealth. He kept a beautiful dog, and when people stopped talking about it, he cut off its tail just to give them something new to discuss. In the city council, he let a quail loose to cause chaos. He once asked councilors to adjourn and feast at his house—and they did. A citizen warned, "Your prosperity will bring ruin on this crowd." Though the people would have made him king, he refused the title but exercised the power. He and the cautious Nicias became the main politicians. Alcibiades' ambition would harm both himself and Athens.