Plutarch (born before AD 50, died after AD 120) is the ancient author who has arguably contributed more than any other to the popular conception of Sparta. Writing under the Roman Empire, at a time when the glory days of ancient Sparta were already long in the past, Plutarch represents a milestone in Sparta's mythologisation, but at the same time is a vital source for our historical understanding of Sparta. In this volume, eight scholars from around the world come together to consider Plutarch's understanding and presentation of Sparta, his flaws and significance as an historical source, and his development of Sparta as a resonant subject and theme within his bestknown work, the Parallel Lives. This book is the latest in a series which the Classical Press of Wales is publishing on major sources for Sparta. Volumes on Xenophon and Sparta (Powell & Richer 2020) and Thucydides and Sparta (Powell & Debnar 2021) have already been released, and a further volume on Herodotus and Sparta is currently in preparation

Originally published in 1921, this book contains an English translation by Sir Thomas North of two pairs of Plutarch's famous Lives, specifically the biographical comparisons of Timoleon with Paulus Aemelius, and Agis and Cleomenes with the Gracchi. Giles also provides an introduction on Plutarch, North, and Jacques Amyot, whose French translation of the Lives provided the basis for North's own rendering into English. This book will be of value to anyone with and interest in Plutarch and the historical transmission of his work.

Plutarch's Lives Vol 3, written by the esteemed Greek historian and biographer Plutarch, presents a riveting assortment of biographies that delve into the lives of notable figures from Greek and Roman history. This third volume continues Plutarch's meticulous exploration of influential individuals, drawing illuminating parallels and offering insightful lessons. Comprising approximately 150 pages, Plutarch's Lives Vol 3 unveils the captivating narratives of diverse personalities, including legendary statesmen, military leaders, and philosophers. Through his skillful blend of historical accuracy and anecdotal storytelling, Plutarch provides readers with a deep understanding of the complexities of these extraordinary individuals. He offers thought-provoking insights into their virtues, vices, and ethical dilemmas, inviting readers to reflect on timeless questions of leadership, morality, and the pursuit of excellence.

Plutarch's Lives, written at the beginning of the second century A.D., is a brilliant social history of the ancient world by one of the greatest biographers and moralists of all time. In what is by far his most famous and influential work, Plutarch reveals the character and personality of his subjects and how they led ultimately to tragedy or victory. Richly anecdotal and full of detail, Volume I contains profiles and comparisons of Romulus and Theseus, Numa and Lycurgus, Fabius and Pericles, and many more powerful figures of ancient Greece and Rome. The present translation, originally published in 1683 in conjunction with a life of Plutarch by John Dryden, was revised in 1864 by the poet and scholar Arthur Hugh Clough, whose notes and preface are also included in this edition.

At the beginning of the second century C.E., Plutarch of Chaeronea wrote a series of pairs of biographies of Greek and Roman statesmen. Their purpose is moral: the reader is invited to reflect on important ethical issues and to use the example of these great men from the past to improve his or her own conduct. This book off ers the first full-scale commentary on the Life of Alcibiades. It examines how Plutarch's biography of one of classical Athens' most controversial politicians functions within the moral program of the Parallel Lives. Built upon the narratological distinction between story and text, Simon Verdegem's analysis, which involves detailed comparisons with other Plutarchan works (especially the Lives of Nicias and Lysander) and several key texts in the Alcibiades tradition (e.g., Plato, Thucydides, and Xenophon), demonstrates how Plutarch carefully constructed his story and used a wide range of narrative techniques to create a complex Life that raises interesting questions about the relation between private morality and the common good.

Plutarch's Lives Vol 2, written by the ancient Greek historian and biographer Plutarch, is a captivating collection of biographies that offers deep insights into the lives of prominent figures from Greek and Roman history. This second volume serves as a continuation of Plutarch's comprehensive examination of notable individuals and explores the parallel lives of influential personalities. The biographies in Plutarch's Lives Vol 2 go beyond mere historical accounts, as Plutarch employs a blend of factual information and insightful anecdotes to paint vivid portraits of these illustrious individuals. With its rich historical context, engaging storytelling, and philosophical underpinnings, Plutarch's Lives Vol 2 stands as a timeless work that continues to captivate readers, offering profound wisdom and a window into the lives of extraordinary men.