Nicias is a Roman, after right after Pericles. Nicias was Pericles'es friend, Pericles helped Nicias, until Pericles died. Then Nicias wanted to be elected. His opponent was a man called Cleon. Nicias was a vain man, in my opinion. He wanted attention and power, and was not ashamed to use bribes. HE USED HIS MONEY SHAMELESSLY TO GET VOTES! He gave shows more magnificent than anyone before him! He had to rely on his money, because he didn't have anything else that would strongly appeal to the people. He did have a gravity that appealed to the people more than Cleon's, Nicias'es being of a cautious nature. He also acted afraid of the people, and this appealed to them, because it made them feel powerful. He often consulted a seer, or fortune teller, that he lodged at his house, to inquire mostly about his personal affairs, though he pretended it was about the commonwealth, for he had some silver mines. Consequently, he had most of his wealth in silver. Many hangers--on asked for money and got it. His timidity was a revenue to rouges, and his humanity a revenue to honest men.
I think that "His timidity was a revenue to rouges, and his humanity a revenue to honest men." shows that he was a well-meaning man, but he was afraid to refuse people, scared of what they might say, and what that would do to his reputation.
More later!
Bell
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