Alcibiades was a prominent Athenian statesman and general during the Peloponnesian War. He advocated for aggressive Athenian action and led a failed expedition to Sicily. Later, he defected to Sparta and advised them on how to weaken Athens, but fell out of favor and fled to Persia. He attempted to play the Persians and Spartans against each other for his own gain. Alcibiades was eventually restored as an Athenian general but lost a battle and was removed from command, dying in exile.