Nicias (; Νικίας
Nikias; c. 470 BC – 413 BC), was an
Athenian politician and general during the period of the
Peloponnesian War. Nicias was a member of the Athenian aristocracy and had inherited a large fortune from his father, which was invested in the
silver mines around
Attica's Mt.
Laurium. Following the death of
Pericles in 429 BC, he became the principal rival of
Cleon and the democrats in the struggle for the political leadership of the Athenian state. He was a moderate in his political views and opposed the aggressive imperialism of the democrats. His principal aim was to conclude a peace with
Sparta as soon as it could be obtained on terms favourable to Athens.