Rome's famed historian illuminates the twilight of the old Roman Republic from 157 to 43 BC in succinct accounts of the greatest politicians and... read full description
reviews
Jul 16, 2010
Bird Brian
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Plutarch is the opposite of Isaaic Asimov. Foundation portrays history only in terms of massive predictable, quantifiable and eminently understandable trends. There is little accounting for individual personalities; only stochastic movements of people, information, money, and resources. On the other hand, Plutarch writes history in the form of biographic essays, showing us one unique, sometimes inconsistent, often inscrutable man at a time. To explore how the Roman Republic (509 B.C.- 27 B.C.)
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Nov 19, 2010
Felix
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Having been a student of Latin and Ancient Rome I’d often encountered Plutarch and read a few sections of his work, but never delved too deeply into his writings. Seeing this book on the shelf of a second-hand bookshop I knew it was time. He writes well and concisely, with many interesting insights into Roman society and the historical times – the end of the republic – while focusing on the chief characters of the changes that brought the empire. I don’t fully agree with his insistence, so commo
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Feb 01, 2008
Ainsley
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This was required reading for the class on Republican Rome during my first year at uni. A marvelous read which opened up the subject for me. Great biographies of the main players of the republic, liberally sprinkled with anecdotes and musings on morality. It never gets stale, and I can see why Shakespeare liked them so much (apart from this being the only relevant source material publicly available at the time).
Jul 27, 2010
Jesse
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The events outlined in these lives are a horrifying spectacle. The battle over Rome between Marius and Sulla set in motion a political sequence that included purges, deliberately orchestrated famines, martial law, and endless conquest-foreign and domestic (I think it poetic that the home of the mother of the Gracchi, the founders of socialism, should've been so enviously fought over). As a result, Spartacus led his fellow slaves to some incredible victories, and more than half of Rome's populati
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Jan 21, 2012
Mark
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A selection from Plutarch's wide-ranging Lives series, The Fall of the Roman Republic focuses on six of the pivotal figures of the Roman Republic changing into the Empire: Gaius Marius, Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Julius Caesar and Cicero. Writing in the first century AD, Plutarch compiled biographies of famous Romans and paired them with figures from Greek history: Alexander the Great to Caesar, for example. Here, the format is a little different - the lives are grouped by era - but it's still easy
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Feb 21, 2012
umberto
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I think these six Roman Lives can be regarded as the best ancient biographies I've ever read since Plutarch, as a second to none biographer, wrote the Lives vividly, lively and professionally. In other words, few could surpass him. In fact I started with his Caesar first because I would like to know more about his life and deeds militarily and politically, and his version doesn't disappoint me. For instance,
"The reported size of the island (i.e. Britain) had appeared incredible More...
"The reported size of the island (i.e. Britain) had appeared incredible More...
Oct 17, 2010
Ben
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Plutarch on Marius:
Nor did he ever allow the enemy to get a hold over him. Even when he was surrounded by their entrenchments he bided his time, quite unmoved by challenges or by insults. They say that once Publius Silo, the most powerful of the enemy commanders and the one with the greatest reputation, said to him: 'If you really are a great general, Marius, come down and fight it out.' To which Marius replied: 'If you are, make me.'
Nor did he ever allow the enemy to get a hold over him. Even when he was surrounded by their entrenchments he bided his time, quite unmoved by challenges or by insults. They say that once Publius Silo, the most powerful of the enemy commanders and the one with the greatest reputation, said to him: 'If you really are a great general, Marius, come down and fight it out.' To which Marius replied: 'If you are, make me.'
Nov 26, 2011
Jeff
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It is not difficult to see why Plutarch is well-regarded by scholars of ancient times. He has an eye for the dramatic and is the best Roman storyteller. While the Parallel Lives or comparing Greek and Roman figures in terms of quality of character is flawed in my opinion, Plutarch still entertains. He tries to select moments in each person's life that show their genius or character. While many of the most important Republic and Imperator era Roman figures are represented in this book, my two
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Oct 20, 2009
Odin
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Interesting bios of the rise and fall a Roman leaders. All of the main characters each have a fatal flaw. Some develope their flaw after ultimate power corrupts them. I find it interesting to compare their ideas of societal norms. They were considered civilized at the time, but now it would not be so.
Oct 04, 2009
Lynda
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This is a reread for me. I read it the first time when I was in junior high and taking Latin. I have always been interested in ancient history and have been revisiting the passion.
Cicero was the character who interested me the most. Cato was a very interesting character.
Cicero was the character who interested me the most. Cato was a very interesting character.
Sep 08, 2011
Sam
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The current editor, Robin Seager, has made this a very readable version. I was glad to see that he worked on it, as he is also the author of a biography of Pompey the Great, another very well written work.
Mar 07, 2010
Fall of the Roman Republic : six lives : Marius, Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, Cicero by Plutarch (1958)
Jul 19, 2011
David
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Great story of the end of the Roman Republic leading to Caesar and Cicero.
Aug 22, 2008
Stuart
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Plutarch wrote biographies about the greatest Romans and Greeks of their respective empires, and then compared similar people from both countries and contrasted them together. In this book, the biographies of Marius, Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar and Cicero are included as well as comparisons with their Greek counterparts (The Greek biographies are not included). Essentially, these 6 Romans helped shape the demise of the Roman Republic into dictatorship and monarchy and Plutarch gives a history
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May 02, 2008
Wiseacre
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This book contains Plutarch's series of biographies that deal with the pivotal figures—i.e., Marius, Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, and Cicero—during the period leading up to the collapse of the Roman Republic. It is essential reading for a better understanding of late Roman Republican history, despite Plutarch’s numerous factual flaws and artistic imbellishments.
Aug 25, 2008
Robert
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I would recommend Plutarch to anyone who loves characters. Even if you don't enjoy history, you can enjoy Plutarch for his wonderfully crafted portraits of characters. It is the little things that make up a personality that Plutarch cares about; kindnesses, cruelties, strengths and flaws that he writes about, not dates and battles.
Jun 19, 2007
Dimitri
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Plutarch's lives are very interesting from a historical perspective but not quite satisfying as a study of psychology. From a storytelling perspective they are enjoyable but unfortunately get repetitive since the same story is retold as part of the biography of historically overlapping characters.
Feb 04, 2012
Chelsea
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Interesting to read one of the sources used by Colleen McCullough when writing her Masters of Rome series. However, not the most reliable historical source- Robin Seager aptly describes Plutarch as more of a biographer than historian.
Jan 01, 2008
chris
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Personal histories of the important actors in the decline of the roman republic. Lots of juicy details about the lust, arrogance, and wealth that transformed a democractic society to a dictatorship at the height of its power.
Oct 17, 2008
Nate
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Fine translation of a total classic. I kind of question the decision to chop Plutarch up like this but what the hey. Frustrating that Brutus and Cassius (and maybe Marc Antony) are in the Makers of Rome.
Apr 20, 2008
Patrick\
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Any comparison to today's American experience is strictly coincidental and not historically driven. Sure, and the earth is flat. Got to love Plutarch. Give it a try.
