As soon as he began to intermeddle in the government, which was
when he was very young, he quickly lessened the credit of all who
aspired to the confidence of the people, except Phaeax and Nicias,
who alone could contest with him. Nicias was arrived at a mature
age, and was esteemed their first general. Phaeax was but a rising
statesman like Alcibiades; he was descended from noble ancestors,
but was his inferior in many other things, but principally in
eloquence.
Alcibiades was not less disturbed at the distinction which Nicias
gained among the enemies of Athens, than at the honors which the
Athenians themselves paid to him. It was commonly said in Greece,
that the war in the Peloponnesus was begun by Pericles, and that
Nicias made an end of it, and the peace was generally called the
peace of Nicias. Alcibiades was extremely annoyed at this, and
being full of envy, set himself to break the league. First,
therefore observing that the Argives as well out of fear as hatred
to the Lacedaemonians, sought for protection against them, he gave
them a secret assurance of alliance with Athens. He exclaimed
fiercely against Nicias, and accused him of many things, which
seemed probable enough: as that, when he was general, he made no
attempt himself to capture their enemies that were shut up in the
isle of Sphacteria, but, when they were afterwards made prisoners
by others, he procured their release and sent them back to the
Lacedaemonians, only to get favor with them.
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