3-061-690 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The wounded Alcibiades. Alcibiades and Socrates are said by Plutarch to have fought side by side in the Potidaea campaign 432-431 BC. Although both warriors distinguished themselves during the battle, when Alcibiades was wounded, Socrates defended him. However, as Alcibiades held the higher position, it was he who was awarded the trophy of honour. Socrates bore witness to Alcibiades’ bravery, never mentioning his own role. In the painting, Socrates is shown on the extreme right in profile, with black hair, i.e. portrayed at a younger age than usual