Plutarch
Wrote Plutarch's Lives, biographies of ancient Greeks & Romans, compared with each other. They were intended to showcase different virtues. Here are a selection, in no particular order:
- FabiusPlutarch, Fabius
Plutarch, Fabius
Summary
Early, Fabius had the reputation of being a slow, insensible, submissive man, but when he was tried, his true character was revealed as being prudent, careful, and constant. He was given dictatorship over Rome to protect them against the pillaging Hannibal, yet when he got into the field, his careful and deliberate actions were interpreted as fear and timidity. Only Hannibal recognized the brilliant strategy behind Fabius's movements. He was often ridiculed and spoken... - RomulusPlutarch, Romulus
Plutarch, Romulus
Summary
Plutarch begins by discussing the different stories that were told about the founding of Rome, eventually landing on the one about Romulus and Remus. While there are many variations, it seems plausible that the brothers were abandoned as babies, but saved by wild animals until a shepherd found them and brought them up as his own. When they were grown, the brothers were bold in all they did. They wanted to build a city, but there was a disagreement among them; Romulus... - AcibiadesPlutarch, Alcibiades
Plutarch, Alcibiades
Summary
From childhood, Alcibiades had a strong sense of his own self-importance and had his own way with most things. Though surrounded by flatters, he was attracted to Socrates, and learned much from him. He was very clever and was not above using deceit to benefit himself and Athens. This was evidenced by his dealings with the Lacedæmonians. He was made the general of the navy, but his enemies contrived a legal case against him, and Athens exiled him. He became influen... - Alexander the GreatPlutarch, Alexander the Great
Plutarch, Alexander the Great
Summary
Alexander was the son of Philip, the King of Macedon. He was a very eager and ambitious boy, once entertaining a foreign ambassador in his father's absence. He was bold, and quickly won the favor of the people of the kingdom, and they considered him their king, even while his father was still alive. He was at the head of many daring expeditions, and his men took courage from his being their leader. He made alliance with the Greeks and dominated the Persia...