SOCRATES AND ALCIBIADES. 223

The philosopher and the politician owed to each
other their lives. They served as soldiers together
at Potidea, lodged in the same tent, and stood side
by sidein the ranks. Alcibiades was wounded in the
battle, but was defended and rescued by his friend,
who afterwards persuaded the generals to award to
him the prize for valor. Later, at the battle of
Delium, Alcibiades protected and saved Socrates.
These personal services brought them into still
closer relations, while their friendship was perhaps
the stronger from their almost complete diversity
of character.

Unluckily for Athens, Socrates was not able to in-
stil strong principles of virtue into the mind of the
versatile Alcibiades. This ardent pleasure lover was
moved by ambition, desire of admiration, love of
display, and fondness for luxurious living, and in-
dulged in excesses that it was not easy for the more
frugal citizens to forgive. He sent seven chariots to
the Olympic Games, from which he carried off the
first, second, and fourth prizes. He gave splendid
shows, distributed money freely, and in spite of his
wanton follies retained numbers of friends among
the Athenian people.

It was to this engaging and ambitious politician
that the ruinous Sicilian expedition was due. He
persuaded the Athenians to engage in it, in spite of
wiser advice, and was one of those placed in com-
mand, But the night before the fleet set sail a
dreadful sacrilege took place. All the statues of the
god Hermes in the city were mutilated by unknown
parties,—an outrage which caused almost a panic