Alcibiades: Master of Ancient Greek Politics - Essay Sample

Introduction

Participation in politics is an adventure many people to do not fancy except for those who feel that they are skilled in navigating the difficulties often associated with this occupation. Participants need to have particular characteristics for them to succeed or even survive in politics. This reality was well known among politicians in ancient Greece. One of the foremost ancient Greek leaders who mastered the art of politics is Alcibiades. Born in a wealthy and privileged family in the city-state of Athens, Alcibiades demonstrated from a tender age what one needs to be an effective leader and politician. His tactics created many friends and enemies in the same measure, resulting in the conquest of his own people thereby making some observers question his credentials as a capable politician (Plutarch 2). The casting of doubts on Alcibiades's style of politics raises the concerns whether his character can be emulated in contemporary politics. If Alcibiades were alive today, I would select him as a political ally since his charisma, astuteness, and respect for democracy are essential attributes one needs to succeed in politics.

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Being charismatic would make any politician select Alcibiades as a political ally. Charisma means one can rally people around them with the view of winning their hearts and minds towards a given cause. Through their powerful ability to speak to the public, charismatic leaders exude confidence in their skills and abilities to draw people to their ideologies. Alcibiades has an exceptional ability to influence others from his days as a boy. For instance, it is narrated that, when at school, he incited fellow boys and managed to convince them not to learn to play the flute because he considered the activity a useless a venture in making them valuable members of the society. When he was once passing by the Assembly, he heard a lot of excitement and contributed to a public subscription before a vast crowd, a gesture that moved many people. Alcibiades chose his words carefully when speaking before the public. Plutarch notes that although his physical handsomeness played a part in drawing crowds, "he counted above else on his charm as a speaker to give him hold over the people and comic poets testify that he was the greatest orator Athens ever knew"(p.253). A good politician must have the ability to woo crowds by speaking convincingly. It is through great skill of charming the electorate and having the ability to use the language that whips the emotions of people that can make one succeed as a politician. Such personality is an excellent asset in politics because it enables participants to articulate their issues clearly and win public support. Since Alcibiades has these attributes, he can be a good politically ally.

Any person who is endowed with astuteness can be an important political ally, and Alcibiades meets this expectation. Being astute politically implies that one has the innate ability to quickly read situations based on the other people's behaviors and use their skills and knowledge to turn the situation to their advantage or at least avoid a scenario where their political standing suffers harm. According to Plutarch (2), Alcibiades "had a higher degree more than his contemporaries the faculty of discerning and grasping what was required in a given situation"(p.253). Throughout the life of Alcibiades, it is evident that he was excellent in reading situations and making quick decisions that saved his career for many years. Notably, when he learned about Spartan emissaries sent to Nicias, he ensured that he met them earlier and hammered a fake deal that he later denounced in the Assembly. This act led to the decline of the reputation of Nicias, elevating him to the higher status before the citizens. Such character was also seen when he was banished to Sparta. Here, he endeared himself before King Agis and went even overboard by siring a son with his wife. When he sensed danger, he ran away to Persia where he began strategizing for a return to Athens. He does not hesitate to speak lies to have his way, and his massive courage accentuates this in everything he does. In politics, one needs to be a schemer and a manipulator of opponents to thrive. This must be done courageously. Having the ability to scan situations is a useful practice because it makes politicians unpredictable thereby allowing them to escape danger or outwit their opponents. Propaganda might not be effective in politics if one is not skilled in reading situations and manipulating opponents by turning these situations into their advantage. Politics is a land of schemers and manipulators, and since Alcibiades is perfect in doing these acts, he is an ideal pick for a political ally.

Respect for democracy is also an attribute that makes Alcibiades a perfect selection for a political ally. Aristotle outlines the Athenian constitution and emphasizes that democracy was an essential element of the life of the Athenians. Due process and involvement of the citizens are the matters that Aristotle outlines as crucial in the manner in which Athens was governed. The Athenians, including Alcibiades, significantly cherished these democratic standards. One example of democracy appears when Alcibiades takes part in debates in the Assembly. He also agreed to stand trial after he was accused of sacrilege and treason and even traveled back from a military expedition to defend himself before the magistrate (Plutarch 2, p.262). Although one might argue that Alcibiades does not respect the law because of his arrogance and rudeness, his behaviors before the legal authorities glorify democracy. A good politician must respect democracy and the rule of law. He must show the public that it is vital to respect democracy even if he does not do so in private. This is precisely what Alcibiades does. When one supports democracy, they can thrive when the political environment is not friendly to them. Due to Alcibiades' perfection in this art, he can make an excellent political ally.

Due to his charisma, astuteness, and respect for democracy, it can be concluded that Alcibiades can be an important political ally. He is a skilled orator, and this helps him convince people to his side quite easily. He also scans situations expertly which is vital for one to survive in politics. Lastly, Alcibiades believes in the rule of law. Any individual with the highlighted attributes can never be a political liability; hence Alcibiades can make a good political ally.

References

Aristotle. (2004). Constitution of the Athenians. London, UK: Penguin Books Limited,.

Plutarch. (2018). Parallel lives. Glasgow, Scotland: e-artnow.