Nicias and Pericles: Parallel Lives in Thucydides’ Narrative

In his Nicias, Plutarch compares Nicias to Pericles quite unfavourably. From themethodological point of view, however, it is better not to conflate his account with that ofThucydides, where Nicias emerges as a competent and brave general with considerablediplomatic skills. It will be argued here that the Athenian historian intentionally juxtaposes thetwo men and favours both of them, although the degree of his evaluation differs. The parallelismbetween the two is achieved by literary and historiographical tools: verbal resonances in theirrespective speeches and similarity of their respective visions of Athens. As well, there is aparallelism concerning their life circumstances and careers, which came abruptly to a tragicend. Their deaths marked the ends of significant eras in Athenian history.