History of the Peloponnesian War · Character

Nicias

Cautious Athenian general and statesman who preferred safe sieges and honorable peace to the reckless ambitions of his rivals.

major

Also known as Nicias, son of Niceratus

First appearance: book i

As a major figure in History of the Peloponnesian War, Nicias is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Athenian general and politician, advocate for caution and the Peace of Nicias.

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Nicias commands Athens' forces with methodical care, taking Minoa to tighten the noose on Megara, and he embodies the old aristocratic virtue of restraint in a city increasingly hungry for conquest. His deep piety and fear of the gods sit uneasily beside the boldness of men like Cleon and Alcibiades, who mock his caution. His struggle to hold Athens back from disaster makes him the conscience—and eventually the casualty—of Athenian overreach.

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Character Web

23 connections

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Relationship types

Rivalry
Professional

Character groups

Spartan and Athenian Leaders
Diverse Figures of the War
Acarnanian Campaign Commanders
Protagonist

+18 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the Athenians' fateful psychological peak of hubris…

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Relationships

Theramenes
professional · ambivalent
Nicias and Theramenes were Athenian generals who served together in the Sicilian… How this plays out →
Gylippus
rivalry · negative
Demosthenes
professional · negative
Cleon
rivalry · negative
Alcibiades
rivalry · negative
Demosthenes
professional · negative
Alcibiades
rivalry · negative
Gylippus
rivalry · negative

Theramenes
Nicias and Theramenes were Athenian generals who served together in the Sicilian Expedition, with Theramenes later criticizing Nicias's indecisive leadership.
Gylippus
Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster.
Demosthenes
Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat.
Cleon
Cleon and Nicias were fierce political rivals in Athens, with Cleon attacking Nicias's cautious policies and advocating for aggressive war strategies.
Alcibiades
Alcibiades and Nicias were political opponents in Athens, with Alcibiades advocating for the Sicilian Expedition that Nicias opposed, leading to disaster.
Demosthenes
Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat.
Alcibiades
Alcibiades and Nicias were political opponents in Athens, with Alcibiades advocating for the Sicilian Expedition that Nicias opposed, leading to disaster.
Gylippus
Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster.

Relationship notes

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See Nicias in book i

In the story

Nicias appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

History of the Peloponnesian War
Athenian general and politician, advocate for caution and the Peace of Nicias.
XI
Leads an Athenian expedition with 60 ships and 2,000 heavy infantry against Melos.
Book IV
Athenian general who negotiates the Peace of Nicias after the deaths of Cleon and Brasidas.
Chapter XII
Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but referenced as the general associated with the peace treaty later named after him.
XIII
Commands the Athenian expedition against Cythera, negotiates the surrender of the island with favorable terms for the Cytherians.
Book V
Architect of the Peace of Nicias, struggles to maintain the fragile truce amid growing tensions.
The Peace of Nicias and the End of the First War
The most fortunate general of his time, Nicias ardently desires peace to secure his good fortune and reputation, and to avoid further risks.
XVI
Supports maintaining peace with Sparta; persuades the Athenians to send another embassy to Lacedaemon to clarify intentions, advocating for delay to preserve Athenian prosperity.
Book VI
Opposed the Sicilian Expedition; appointed as one of the commanders; his cautious strategy is overruled by the assembly.
XVIII
Attempts to dissuade the Athenians by detailing the military and logistical challenges of conquering Sicily, advocating for a massive, well-prepared force.
XIX
Argues for a cautious approach: sail to Selinus, settle matters with Egesta, display Athenian power, and return home unless an unexpected opportunity arises.
XX
Athenian general who sails to Egesta to receive money and then rejoins the forces.
Book VII
Athenian general who, against his better judgment, led the Sicilian expedition; his hesitation and superstitious delays contributed to the disaster.
XXII
Argues against retreat, citing financial strain on Syracuse and fear of Athenian political judgment; insists on continuing the siege despite the army's poor state.
The Final Catastrophe
Appalled by the crisis, Nicias addresses the captains by name and tribe, urging them not to betray their personal and ancestral honor. He later leads the army in a hollow square formation during the retreat.

Chapter companion notes

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See Nicias in book i

See Nicias in History of the Peloponnesian War