# Nicias — History of the Peloponnesian War character guide > Nicias in History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nicias, son of Niceratus **First appearance:** 0002-book-i ## Snapshot Cautious Athenian general and statesman who preferred safe sieges and honorable peace to the reckless ambitions of his rivals. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Theramenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/theramenes) _professional_ Nicias and Theramenes were Athenian generals who served together in the Sicilian Expedition, with Theramenes later criticizing Nicias's indecisive leadership. ### [Gylippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/gylippus) _rivalry_ Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster. ### [Demosthenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/demosthenes) _professional_ Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat. ### [Cleon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/cleon) _rivalry_ Cleon and Nicias were fierce political rivals in Athens, with Cleon attacking Nicias's cautious policies and advocating for aggressive war strategies. ### [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/alcibiades) _rivalry_ Alcibiades and Nicias were political opponents in Athens, with Alcibiades advocating for the Sicilian Expedition that Nicias opposed, leading to disaster. ### [Demosthenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/demosthenes) _professional_ Demosthenes and Nicias were fellow Athenian generals in Sicily, but their strategic disagreements and Nicias's delays contributed to their joint defeat. ### [Alcibiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/alcibiades) _rivalry_ Alcibiades and Nicias were political opponents in Athens, with Alcibiades advocating for the Sicilian Expedition that Nicias opposed, leading to disaster. ### [Gylippus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/gylippus) _rivalry_ Gylippus, the Spartan general, outmaneuvered and defeated Nicias during the Sicilian Expedition, leading to the Athenian disaster. ## In the story ### [History of the Peloponnesian War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war) Athenian general and politician, advocate for caution and the Peace of Nicias. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xi) Leads an Athenian expedition with 60 ships and 2,000 heavy infantry against Melos. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-iv) Athenian general who negotiates the Peace of Nicias after the deaths of Cleon and Brasidas. ### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xii) Not directly mentioned in this chapter, but referenced as the general associated with the peace treaty later named after him. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xiii) Commands the Athenian expedition against Cythera, negotiates the surrender of the island with favorable terms for the Cytherians. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xv) The most fortunate general of his time, Nicias ardently desires peace to secure his good fortune and reputation, and to avoid further risks. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-vi) Opposed the Sicilian Expedition; appointed as one of the commanders; his cautious strategy is overruled by the assembly. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xviii) Attempts to dissuade the Athenians by detailing the military and logistical challenges of conquering Sicily, advocating for a massive, well-prepared force. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xx) Athenian general who sails to Egesta to receive money and then rejoins the forces. ### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/book-vii) Athenian general who, against his better judgment, led the Sicilian expedition; his hesitation and superstitious delays contributed to the disaster. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/chapters/xxiii) 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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters/nicias - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/history_of_the_peloponnesian_war_se/characters