The mutilation of the Hermae statues in 415 BC is one of the most controversial scandals during the Peloponnesian war. Many suspicions was raised, as Athenians believed this was a scheme plotted to discourage the Sicilian expedition and to subvert Athen’s democracy. For this reason, many accused Alcibiades, whom was a rising political figure known for his undemocratic character and habits to be the main perpetrator behind this scandal. However, this bold accusation is far from logical for several reasons. First, by examining Thucydides’ writings, Alcibiades was a strong advocate for the Sicilian expedition and it would be contradictory to create a bad omen against this undertaking by mutilating the Hermae statues. Secondly, in addition to Thucydides’
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Again, this is stated in Plutarch's work that ”Mantinean men-at-arms, a thousand in number, declared plainly that it was all because of Alcibiades that they were making their long expedition across the seas, and that if any wrong should be done to him they would at once abandon it” (Plut.Alc.19.5). These pieces of evidence shows, that Alcibiades was truly committed in the expedition and wanted to expel any detrimental factors that would impede the success of what would be a massive undertaking. Knowing this level of commitment Alcibiades exhibits towards the expedition that the democratic majority advocated for, it is evident that it would be both contradictory and ludicrous to mutilate the Hermae statues. This again entails, it is very likely someone was trying to frame him. The delay of his trial which will be discussed next, explains why this would be the …show more content…
Once again this is stated in Thucydides’ work where “The friends also of Alcibiades at Argos were just at this time suspected of a design to attack the commons; in short, everywhere something was found to create suspicion against Alcibiades. It was therefore decided to bring him to trial and execute him” (Thuc.6.61.5). It is noteworthy to clarify, that his political enemies made the claim that they suspect his friends at Argos was going to attack the commons. However, there was no concrete evidence provided to actually prove this suspicion. This displays a blatant attempt to use unsupported rhetorical claims in order to further convince the population that Alcibiades was plotting against democracy. Again, this corresponds to the enemies’ motives to use this as a propaganda tool alongside the scandal of the mutilations of the Hermae statues as an excuse to execute Alcibiades and effectively remove him from
Again, this is stated in Plutarch's work that ”Mantinean men-at-arms, a thousand in number, declared plainly that it was all because of Alcibiades that they were making their long expedition across the seas, and that if any wrong should be done to him they would at once abandon it” (Plut.Alc.19.5). These pieces of evidence shows, that Alcibiades was truly committed in the expedition and wanted to expel any detrimental factors that would impede the success of what would be a massive undertaking. Knowing this level of commitment Alcibiades exhibits towards the expedition that the democratic majority advocated for, it is evident that it would be both contradictory and ludicrous to mutilate the Hermae statues. This again entails, it is very likely someone was trying to frame him. The delay of his trial which will be discussed next, explains why this would be the …show more content…
Once again this is stated in Thucydides’ work where “The friends also of Alcibiades at Argos were just at this time suspected of a design to attack the commons; in short, everywhere something was found to create suspicion against Alcibiades. It was therefore decided to bring him to trial and execute him” (Thuc.6.61.5). It is noteworthy to clarify, that his political enemies made the claim that they suspect his friends at Argos was going to attack the commons. However, there was no concrete evidence provided to actually prove this suspicion. This displays a blatant attempt to use unsupported rhetorical claims in order to further convince the population that Alcibiades was plotting against democracy. Again, this corresponds to the enemies’ motives to use this as a propaganda tool alongside the scandal of the mutilations of the Hermae statues as an excuse to execute Alcibiades and effectively remove him from