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Lives
Demosthenes and Cicero. Alexander and Caesar
Plutarch (Plutarchus), ca. 45–120 CE, was born at Chaeronea in Boeotia in central Greece, studied philosophy at Athens, and, after coming to Rome as a teacher in philosophy, was given consular rank by the emperor Trajan and a procuratorship in Greece by Hadrian. He was married and the father of one daughter and four sons. He appears as a man of kindly character and independent thought, studious and learned.
Plutarch wrote on many subjects. Most popular have always been the 46 Parallel Lives, biographies planned to be ethical examples in pairs (in each pair, one Greek figure and one similar Roman), though the last four lives are single. All are invaluable sources of our knowledge of the lives and characters of Greek and Roman statesmen, soldiers and orators. Plutarch’s many other varied extant works, about 60 in number, are known as Moralia or Moral Essays. They are of high literary value, besides being of great use to people interested in philosophy, ethics, and religion.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of the Lives is in eleven volumes.
Plutarch wrote on many subjects. Most popular have always been the 46 Parallel Lives, biographies planned to be ethical examples in pairs (in each pair, one Greek figure and one similar Roman), though the last four lives are single. All are invaluable sources of our knowledge of the lives and characters of Greek and Roman statesmen, soldiers and orators. Plutarch’s many other varied extant works, about 60 in number, are known as Moralia or Moral Essays. They are of high literary value, besides being of great use to people interested in philosophy, ethics, and religion.
The Loeb Classical Library edition of the Lives is in eleven volumes.
640 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 100
About the author
Plutarch
4,333 books984 followersPlutarch (later named, upon becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus; AD 46–AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 26, 2022
Wonderful book. It's a lot of fun to read about the successes of Alexander and Caesar. Especially Alexander-- I like him better. Partly because he was morally better. Along with Maisie Peters he could sing
Well I might be bitter and twisted and broken and petty and lying
....But at least I'm trying. At least I'm trying.
Caesar not so much.
Plutarch's comparison is lost, but that probably captures the gist of it.
Well I might be bitter and twisted and broken and petty and lying
....But at least I'm trying. At least I'm trying.
Caesar not so much.
Plutarch's comparison is lost, but that probably captures the gist of it.
June 2, 2026
Today, Italy celebrates Republic Day. We Italians commemorate the return of democracy to our small peninsula at the heart of the Mediterranean.
For this, we owe our gratitude to the Allies: they liberated us from fascism and, at the same time, saved us from Soviet communism. We often forget that the partisans were a minority within the country, and that the democratic partisans were a minority within that minority.
This is history. And despite the pressures exerted by the authoritarian political movements of the last century, Italy became an important liberal democracy at the heart of Europe.
Demosthenes and Cicero were two great symbols of the defense of republican institutions and political liberty. For this reason, I have chosen to celebrate Republic Day by recommending that you read the lives of these two remarkable men as told by Plutarch.
We inherited the freedom for which our fathers fought. It is important to remember them. Today, more and more voices are raised to denounce the weakness of democracy. But it is we who are weak, not democracy.
Populists, opportunists, and fanatics have always sought to undermine democratic institutions. It is a story as old as the walls of ancient Athens.
Even today, when we should be celebrating our freedom, delirious voices among us revive the theme—so dear to Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin—of the crisis of “liberal democracies.”
I do not believe that liberal democracies are in crisis. They have never been stronger and today they seem truly invincible.
Their strength lives in the heart of the Ukrainian people defending themselves against Russian aggression, in the Iranian people fighting for their freedom, and in the millions of activists who challenge dictatorships around the world.
Perhaps the spirit of liberal democracy is weak in a spoiled West that indulges in fantasies of Judeo-plutocratic-Masonic conspiracies, that insults its own freedom with endless self-pity, and that embraces the lie of “different values” promoted by tyrannical governments.
No: democracy is a universal value, and it cannot be anything other than liberal democracy.
Some fight to defend it. Others spread lies.
For this, we owe our gratitude to the Allies: they liberated us from fascism and, at the same time, saved us from Soviet communism. We often forget that the partisans were a minority within the country, and that the democratic partisans were a minority within that minority.
This is history. And despite the pressures exerted by the authoritarian political movements of the last century, Italy became an important liberal democracy at the heart of Europe.
Demosthenes and Cicero were two great symbols of the defense of republican institutions and political liberty. For this reason, I have chosen to celebrate Republic Day by recommending that you read the lives of these two remarkable men as told by Plutarch.
We inherited the freedom for which our fathers fought. It is important to remember them. Today, more and more voices are raised to denounce the weakness of democracy. But it is we who are weak, not democracy.
Populists, opportunists, and fanatics have always sought to undermine democratic institutions. It is a story as old as the walls of ancient Athens.
Even today, when we should be celebrating our freedom, delirious voices among us revive the theme—so dear to Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin—of the crisis of “liberal democracies.”
I do not believe that liberal democracies are in crisis. They have never been stronger and today they seem truly invincible.
Their strength lives in the heart of the Ukrainian people defending themselves against Russian aggression, in the Iranian people fighting for their freedom, and in the millions of activists who challenge dictatorships around the world.
Perhaps the spirit of liberal democracy is weak in a spoiled West that indulges in fantasies of Judeo-plutocratic-Masonic conspiracies, that insults its own freedom with endless self-pity, and that embraces the lie of “different values” promoted by tyrannical governments.
No: democracy is a universal value, and it cannot be anything other than liberal democracy.
Some fight to defend it. Others spread lies.
February 18, 2024
I am so glad that I have now read this ancient history of people who were so significant that many of us still know their names more than two thousand years after they lived. Plutarch’s style of writing is certainly different from what we are used to in many fern biographies, but reading a different style like this is a very valuable lesson. I have heard before that if we want to be great leaders today then we need to read great books. This is one of those great books, and I hope that you take an opportunity and spend time with texts like this one.
October 5, 2021
Mooie boeken, alleen wat schrijffouten in de vertaling
September 20, 2025
"It is the life of Alexander the king, and of Caesar, who overthrew Pompey, that I am writing in this book, and the multitude of the deeds to be treated is so great that I shall make no other preface than to entreat my readers, in case I do not tell of all the famous actions of these men, nor even speak exhaustively at all in each particular case, but in epitome for the most part, not to complain. For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most illustrious deeds there is not always a manifestation of virtue or vice, nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of character than battles when thousands fall, or the greatest armaments, or sieges of cities. Accordingly, just as painters get the likenesses in their portraits from the face and the expression of the eyes, wherein the character shows itself, but make very little account of the other parts of the body, so I must be permitted to devote myself rather to the signs of the soul in men, and by means of these to portray the life of each, leaving to others the description of their great contests."
March 17, 2016
Plutarch's descriptions of Demosthenes, Cicero, Alexander, and Caesar are memorable and filled with interesting anecdotes. In keeping with his purpose, he deals not simply with historical occurrences, but also with the character traits of the men he describes. Insights from his Lives are powerfully applicable to modern times.
April 27, 2010
I have just read Cicero our of this book for a class. it was very interesting.
April 29, 2010
I read Demosthenes and Cicero.
January 18, 2015
A most for those interested in classical Rhetoric and history.
December 19, 2013
Great moments in history--gotta love ancient historiography!
May 15, 2014
I seem to prefer this more stylistic personal trait approach over the general historic approach.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews