A relative of Pericles and a student of Socrates, Alcibiades (c. 450–404) was an Athenian military leader and statesman. During Athens' preparations for the invasion of Sicily, during the Peloponnesian War, the statues to Hermes, known as Herms, were mutilated. Alcibiades was accused of the vandalism. He was allowed to set sail before his trial, but while he was out of Athens his opponents convicted him.

Alcibiades' reaction was to turn traitor, thereby helping the Spartans win the Peloponnesian War.