Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, commonly called Parallel Lives or Plutarch's Lives, is a series of biographies of famous men, arranged in tandem to illuminate their common moral virtues or failings, probably written at the beginning of the second century AD.

Originally curated by Harvard President Charles W. Eliot as a complete liberal education in fifty volumes, the Harvard Classics gathers philosophy, science, literature, and history into a single indispensable library. Plato's dialogues and Marcus Aurelius's meditations sit alongside Dante's Divine Comedy, Francis Bacon's essays, Charles Darwin's scientific writing, and Benjamin Franklin's autobiography, tracing the foundations of Western thought from ancient Greece to the modern age. Homer...

"Plutarch's Lives" is a collection of biographical essays written by the Greek historian and philosopher Plutarch in the 1st century AD. The work consists of 50 paired biographies of famous Greek and Roman figures, with each pair consisting of one Greek and one Roman. The lives covered in the work range from legendary figures such as Theseus and Romulus, to famous politicians and military leaders such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.The purpose of "Plutarch's Lives" is to provide ...

The essays here rendered into English have not been selected as the very best pieces in Plutarch’sMoralia, but, first, as typical examples of his writing in that kind, and, second, as covering between them a tolerably large field of interesting matter. The Moralia offer us perhaps the best of all extant material for judging the civilization of the middle classes of society just before and after the year 100 of our era. From them and from Pliny’s Letters we are able to form a fairly complet...

Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, commonly called Parallel Lives or Plutarch's Lives, is a series of biographies of famous men, arranged in tandem to illuminate their common moral virtues or failings. The surviving Parallel Lives, contain twenty-three pairs of biographies, each pair consisting of one Greek and one Roman, as well as four unpaired, single lives. It is a work of considerable importance, not only as a source of information about the individuals biographized, but...

Plutarch traces the fortunes of Athens through nine lives - from Theseus, its founder, to Lysander, its Spartan conqueror - in this seminal workWhat makes a leader? For Plutarch the answer lay not in great victories, but in moral strengths. In these nine biographies, taken from his Parallel Lives, Plutarch illustrates the rise and fall of Athens through nine lives, from the legendary days of Theseus, the city's founder, through Solon, Themistocles, Aristid...

"Plutarch's Lives" presents captivating biographies of Greek and Roman luminaries. Plutarch's insightful narrative delves into their achievements, character, and moral virtues, offering a unique window into classical times. Through parallel comparisons, he unveils universal human traits, igniting reflections on leadership, ethics, and history's enduring relevance. This monumental work captures the essence of historical figures, making it an enlightening exploration of past lives and lesson...

Dramatic artist, natural scientist and philosopher, Plutarch is widely regarded as the most significant historian of his era, writing sharp and succinct accounts of the greatest politicians and statesman of the classical period. Taken from the Lives, a series of biographies spanning the Graeco-Roman age, this collection illuminates the twilight of the old Roman Republic from 157-43 bc. Whether describing the would-be dictators Marius and Sulla, the battle between Crassus and Spartacus, the...

In each biography, Plutarch employs a comparative approach, often pairing a Greek figure with a Roman counterpart to highlight similarities and differences in their virtues and vices. For instance, the life of Alexander the Great is juxtaposed with that of Julius Caesar, allowing readers to glean insights into their respective contributions to history and their differing moral landscapes. Plutarch's narratives are rich with anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and moral lessons, providing...

In each biography, Plutarch employs a comparative approach, often pairing a Greek figure with a Roman counterpart to highlight similarities and differences in their virtues and vices. For instance, the life of Alexander the Great is juxtaposed with that of Julius Caesar, allowing readers to glean insights into their respective contributions to history and their differing moral landscapes. Plutarch's narratives are rich with anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and moral lessons, providing...

Complete Works of Plutarch -- Volume 3: Essays and Miscellanies compiles a range of Plutarch’s writings on various philosophical, moral, and cultural topics. This volume includes his reflections on ethics, education, politics, and society, offering readers a broader understanding of his worldview beyond his well-known Lives. Plutarch's essays explore the nature of virtue, the role of fate, the idea of happiness, and the relationship between philosophy and daily life.Through these writings,...

"Plutarch's Lives," penned by Plutarch, is a biographical masterpiece from ancient Greece. This collection pairs the lives of notable Greeks and Romans, examining virtues, vices, and achievements. Through parallel narratives, it contrasts figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, offering moral insights. With eloquence, Plutarch weaves history, philosophy, and character study, illuminating the human experience across eras, making it a timeless treasure of wisdom and inspiration.