Alcibiades in Disgrace

After Alcibiades sailed, his enemies convinced Athens of his guilt. They sent for him, but friends warned him not to return. He went to Sparta instead, adopted Spartan dress and laconic speech, and won their admiration. When he heard he had been condemned to death in absentia, his anger made him tell the Spartans all Athens' plans. By his advice, Sparta sent aid to Sicily and captured both generals and 7,000 soldiers—all put to death. Spartans fortified Decelea near Athens. Subject cities revolted; Persians joined against Athens. The desperate Athenian army recalled Alcibiades. Repenting, he won the Persians over to Athens, but his treachery had already ruined the city.