Who is Nicias from Gorgias and what is their importance?

Nicias was a statesman and a Strategos in Ancient Athens. He was a member of the Athenian upper class because of his successful investment in the silver mines at Mt Laurium around Attica. His family were not patricians, but his wealth allowed him to be part of aristocracy, which in turn, allowed him to enter politics. In 421, Nicias was the main contributor in ending the Peloponnesian War, and thus, he was considered to be the savior of Athens.