Andocides

Andocides was born into one of the most prominent aristocratic families of Athens. He was named as one of the conspirators in the mutilation of the Herms in 415 BC and forced to leave Athens.

Out of Athens and the old way of life, Andocides prospered as a merchant. In that role he was more than successful and he expanded his business connections all over the Aegean, as well as to Sicily and Italy. Looking for a way to ensure his return to Athens, he provided oars at cost price to the Athenian fleet in Samos, and shortly afterwards returned in his native city to ask amnesty. His successful return to Athens in 411 BC coincided with the oligarchic coup of the Four Hundreds among whom were powerful men that had been harmed by his confession of four years ago. Consequently, he ended up in jail. Released, he left Athens and returned to trade. In that period, he was even imprisoned for a while by Evagoras, the king of Cyprus. He finally gained the amnesty in 403, returned to Athens and resumed the full participation in its public life. But, it didn't last for long. Serving as an Athenian envoy during the Corinthian War with Sparta, he was sent in 392 BC to negotiate the peace terms. Unfortunately, the Athenians rejected the peace and envoys, along with Andocides who was exiled from Athens. After that, his trail is lost in historical sources.

Three of his speeches survive: “On His Return”; “On the Mysteries,” his defense in 400; and “On the Peace” (392) which testifies that he was a gifted narrator.