I find myself in complete agreement with Demetrios. While I hold him in high regard, our discussion on Alcibiades has lasted sometime, and I did not know that we would ever come to an agreement on him.

I have spoken a bit rashly. We are not in total agreement. While I do not think it likely that Alcibiades was involved in the desecration of the Herms, I think it quite possible that Alcibiades was involved in the profanation of the Elusinian Mysteries as accused. As I said, I don't think this was uncommon for aristocrats, and while Alcibiades may have frightened some of the more conservative oligarchs, he is also likely to have been a member of at least one of the hetaireiai. As Connor argued in The New Politicians of Fifth Century Athens, few would have spurned these natural aids in the pursuit of political power. Despite this, I concur that it is likely that both events were used against Alcibiades, and maybe even planned for that use, though if it was a failed power grab, they were quick on their feet.

It was in fact the very passage that Demetrios referred to that led me to state that Alcibiades' enemies did not move against him while he was present. He was a gifted orator, and had many of the common people behind him.

Other than that, please excuse my advertisement at the top of the page. Imperium is recruiting.