Nicias, an Athenian general of the latter part of the 5th century B. C. He was several times associated with Pericles in command, gaining a reputation for prudence and incorruptibility; and on the death of Pericles he was conspicuous as the opponent of Cleon and other demagogues. He early gained a reputation for mildness, liberality, and piety; but his timidity and superstition made him an object of ridicule. He sacrificed every day, associated much with diviners, and kept a soothsayer in his own house that he might know the will of the gods both in public and private affairs. In the Peloponnesian war he was distinguished rather for prudence than genius, but was almost always successful. He conquered the island of Minoa in 427, ravaged the island of Melos and the Locrian coast in 426, gained a victory over the Corinthians in 425, and in conjunction with two colleagues captured the island of Cythcra, belonging to Lacedamion, in 424. But on the death of Cleon a treaty was concluded with the Spartans, called the peace of Nicias (421). Nicias and Alcibiades were now open rivals, and the demagogue Hyperbo-lus strove to procure the banishment of one or the other of them; but through their united efforts Hyperbolus himself was ostracized.

In 415 the Athenians, in spite of Nicias, resolved to send an expedition to Sicily. Nicias, Alcibiades, and Lamachus were appointed to the command; but Alcibiades was socn recalled, Lamachus was slain before Syracuse, and Nicias was left to conduct operations alone. At first he was successful, but on the arrival of the Spartan commander Gylippus with succors for the town, he sent heme for reinforcements and permission to resign. He-enforcements were sent under Demosthenes and Eurymedon, but the second request was refused, and Nicias continued the war, but with constantly failing fortunes. He was about to retreat when an eclipse of the moon occurred, and this Nicias regarded as an injunction from the gods to remain until the next full moon. The delay proved fatal. The Syracusans forced the Athenians to a naval engagement, destroyed their fleet, and when they attempted to escape by land pursued and captured them. Nicias and Demosthenes were put to death, Eurymedon having fallen (413).