#2: Alcibiades (c. 450 BC – 404 BC)
Alcibiades had the sort of life that makes a respectable biography seem like a missed opportunity. Born into one of Athens’ wealthiest families, he became a politician, military commander, and associate of Socrates. He also had a talent for making enemies almost everywhere he went. During the Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades moved between Athens, Sparta, and the Persian court, offering his services wherever political circumstances seemed most favorable. His wealth funded extravagant displays, while his charm helped him survive controversies that might have ended another career.
