80 pages • 2 hours read
PlutarchPlutarch's Lives, Vol. 1
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 100A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Plutarch’s Lives, Vol. 1 by Plutarch presents paired biographies of notable Greek and Roman figures, focusing on their moral character and achievements. The text spans myth and history, comparing leaders like Theseus and Romulus, lawgivers Lycurgus and Numa, generals Themistocles and Camillus, and others, highlighting how their virtues and flaws shaped their legacies and influenced their societies.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Plutarch's Lives, Vol. 1 is lauded for its detailed and insightful biographies of classical figures, providing valuable historical context and moral reflections. However, some readers find the prose dense and the narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it remains a significant work for those interested in ancient history and philosophy.
Who Should Read Plutarch's Lives, Vol. 1?
Plutarch's Lives, Vol. 1 will captivate readers interested in classical literature, historical biographies, and moral philosophy. Similar to admirers of Suetonius's The Twelve Caesars or Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, these readers appreciate detailed character studies and historical narratives from antiquity.