Plutarch's Lives, Vol. 1

Plutarch’s Lives (also known as the Parallel Lives) is a collection of biographies written by the author and philosopher Plutarch in the sec century CE. It is a seminal work in classical literature and biography. Each of the 23 pairs of biographies in the collection contrasts a famous Greek with a Roman figure, culminating in a comparison that draws moral and ethical lessons from their lives. Plutarch’s intent is not to provide a comprehensive historical account, but rather to explore The Influence of Character on History, The Role of Leadership and Morality in Public Life, and The Universality of Human Nature.

This study guide uses Volume 1 of the two-volume Modern Library Classics edition of Plutarch’s Lives, published in 2001. Volume 1 contains the first 14 pairs of biographies of the collection.

Summary

Plutarch’s Lives represents an effort to explore the way individuals shape historical events. The works consist of pairs of biographies or “parallel lives,” with each biography of a Greek figure accompanied by the biography of a Roman figure. Most of these pairs of biographies are followed by a short comparison of the two figures.

Volume 1 of the Modern Library Classics edition of Plutarch’s Lives contains 28 biographies (14 pairs). The majority of these are major political leaders and generals. The biographies span a long period of Greek and Roman history, from the mythical period to the first century BCE. Volume 2 includes the biographies of people living even closer to Plutarch’s own times.

The first biographies are those of Theseus, a mythical king of Athens, and Romulus, the founder of Rome. Both of these figures belong more to myth than they do to history, but both played a formative role in the past of their respective states. At the same time, both Theseus and Romulus were far from perfect as leaders, committing many questionable actions that made them controversial.

In the biographies of Lycurgus and Numa Pompilius, Plutarch looks not only at the political, religious, and legal reforms of his subjects but also at the way the pious and moral character of both men shaped historical events.

The next lives are those of Solon and Poplicola. Solon was an Athenian lawgiver and reformer while Poplicola was one of the earliest consuls of the Roman Republic. Both men introduced policies and reforms that shaped their respective states long after they died.

In his biographies of Themistocles and Camillus, Plutarch takes on more controversial figures. The Athenian general Themistocles was instrumental in helping the Greeks win the Second Persian War, while Camillus won many major Roman wars against other Italians as well as invading Gaul. Both men suffered political jealousy, however, and both were exiled at different points in their respective careers.

Plutarch explores two complex figures in his biographies of Pericles and Fabius. Pericles was virtually synonymous with the “Golden Age” of Classical Athens, launching impressive building projects and holding off the Spartans in the Peloponnesian War. Fabius was an intelligent Roman general who used guerilla tactics to resist Hannibal’s invasion of Italy in the Second Punic War.

The next lives are those of Alcibiades and Coriolanus. Alcibiades was a controversial Athenian general during the Peloponnesian War who defected to the Spartans, and later, the Persians when he was exiled. Alcibiades is paired with Coriolanus, a Roman general who defected to the Volscians and nearly conquered Rome when he was exiled.

The lives of Timoleon and Aemilius Paulus compare two figures known as liberators: The Corinthian Timoleon expelled tyrants and foreign invaders from Sicily, while the Roman Aemilius Paulus defeated the Macedonian king Perseus.

Pelopidas and Marcellus were both brave and capable generals. Pelopidas increased the power of Thebes by fighting successfully against Sparta and Thessaly, while Marcellus scored several morale-boosting victories against Hannibal during the Second Punic War. Both men, however, were careless with their lives and fell in battle.

Plutarch’s biography of the Athenian Aristides is paired with the Roman Marcus Cato. Aristides was a statesman from the time of the Persian Wars known for his justice and incorruptibility. Cato was also known for his rigorous moral code and his distinguished political service to Rome.

In his biographies of Philopoemen and Flamininus, Plutarch looks at two figures who fought for Greek liberty. The Achaean general Philopoemen resisted Spartan power in the Peloponnese, while the Roman Flamininus freed the Greek city-states from the control of the Macedonians.

Pyrrhus and Caius Marius, as Plutarch depicts them, were both power-hungry generals who sought glory for themselves rather than for their countries. Pyrrhus tried, but failed, to conquer Italy and Sicily, while Caius Marius won several important victories for Rome but eventually started a civil war.

Lysander and Sylla both scored major victories for their cities abroad: The Spartan admiral Lysander beat the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War, while Sylla won the First Mithridatic War for Rome. Both men, however, tried to make changes to the constitutions of their respective cities and caused serious political and social upheaval.

Cimon and Lucullus were talented and virtuous, though imperfect figures. Cimon increased Athenian power at the expense of the Persian Empire, while Lucullus won the Second Mithridatic War for Rome.

The final biographies in the volume are those of Nicias and Crassus. Both were important generals and statesmen, but both had severe flaws that led to their respective downfalls: The overly-cautious Nicias lost the Sicilian Expedition for Athens, while Crassus suffered a disastrous defeat for Rome against the Parthians.