In his "Life of Alcibiades," the Greek biographer and philosopher Plutarch (46-120 AD) gives an account of a political event reportedly influenced by a belief in the magical and protective powers of the phallus. In 415 BC, a large military expedition was launched by the Athenians against the Sicilians on the recommendation of Alcibiades. One week before the departure of the expedition, almost all the phalluses on the sacred statues of Hermes were cut off. Alcibiades was accused of sacrilege and sentenced to death for the desecration of the statues. The military venture against Sicily was a disaster.
