The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Callias, d. c.370 B.C., Athenian leader
d. c.370 B.C., Athenian leader, one of the generals of the Peloponnesian War. In his old age Callias was one of the ambassadors sent to Sparta with Callistratus to negotiate a peace treaty in 371 B.C. The treaty was ineffective, and friction between Epaminondas of Thebes and Agesilaus II of Sparta became acute. Callias was a rich man and his wealth was ridiculed by his contemporaries, including Aristophanes. His house is the scene of Xenophons Symposium and Platos Protagoras.