Nemesis: Alcibiades and the fall of Athens by David Stuttard

Alcibiades is one of those classic Greek figures of whom I knew virtually nothing.  It's as if he was important enough to know of, but not quite important enough to really study.

And as with so many famous leaders, he was complicated.  Or perhaps not so complicated as really just a man who was in it for himself.

An aristocrat, a descendant of the Alcmeonids who was raised by Pericles after the death of his father, Alcibiades sought "greatness" from a young age.

A companion of Socrates from a young age, he learned to speak persuasively, garnering attention in the law courts and the Assembly in early manhood.

He had many successes as a political leader, until he didn't, pushing vehemently for the ill-fated attack on Syracuse in the later stages of the Peloponnesian War.  Serving as a general in the fight against Syracuse, he was recalled by Athens to stand trial, and while returning he escaped.

That brought him to arch-enemy Sparta, where he rose in influence over time, but eventually landed in the arms of Persia (much like Themistocles).  Years later Athens finally recalled him, believing he could help them gain concessions from Persia.

He had great ability to persuade and lead men, seemingly towards any goal he wanted to pursue.  His critical flaw, however, was always pursuing ends that benefitted him more than anyone else, ultimately changing sides so often that no one understand where his true loyalties lay.

The book told Alcibiades' story using the Peloponnesian War as a framework, providing a solid refresher for me on that long and complicated war.  As I pursue a deeper exploration on the War, including a re-reading of Thucydides and much more, Alcibiades' story will provide a richer understanding of exactly what happened, and hopefully, just why.