Plutarchos Libri

Le "Vite parallele" sono come una grande galleria di quadri che illustrano, attraverso ritratti dei più celebri protagonisti, quasi tutta la storia di Roma e della Grecia. Ma sono anche un'immagine della vita nella sua eterna lotta fra bene e male, in un alternarsi di luci e di ombre, di vizi e di virtù. Demostene e Cicerone ebbero in comune alcune doti naturali e analoghe vicende esteriori, ma furono anche molto diversi: Demostene, teso e severo, fu amante del denaro e dell'oro e trasse dalla sua attività anche guadagni illeciti; Cicerone, sereno e sorridente, dimostrò invece un grande disprezzo per il denaro e diede anche prova di bontà e di carità.

This selection of ten Lives traces the history of Hellenistic Greece from the rise of Macedon and Alexander's conquest of the Persian empire to the arrival of the Romans. Plutarch's biographies of eminent politicians, rulers, and soldiers combine vivid portraits of their subjects with a wealth of historical information; they constitute a uniquely important source for the period

Exploring the interplay of character and destiny, this collection features twenty-three paired biographies of notable Greeks and Romans, alongside four unpaired ones. Plutarch focuses on the moral virtues and failings of historical figures such as Theseus, Romulus, and Julius Caesar, rather than providing strict historical narratives. His work offers profound insights into the lives of influential leaders, making it a crucial resource for understanding classical history. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, ensuring its longevity.

The book features a collection of biographies that juxtapose the lives of notable Greek and Roman figures to highlight their shared moral virtues and flaws. It includes twenty-three pairs of biographies, each pairing a Greek with a Roman, alongside four additional standalone biographies. This structure not only showcases individual lives but also fosters a deeper understanding of the ethical lessons derived from their experiences.

Plutarch (c. 45 120 CE) wrote on many subjects. His forty-six Parallel Lives are biographies planned to be ethical examples in pairs, one Greek figure and one similar Roman, though the last four lives are single. They not only record careers and illustrious deeds but also offer rounded portraits of statesmen, orators, and military leaders.