The first known biographer in recorded history is the ancient Greek writer Plutarch.
He lived in the 1st and 2nd century AD and wrote a series of biographical works called "Parallel Lives," in which he paired the lives of notable Greek and Roman figures and compared their actions and characters. Plutarch's biographies were known for their literary style and moral lessons, and they have had a significant influence on later biographical writing.
Plutarch's full name is Plutarchos of Chaironeia. Plutarch ( Greek: Πλούταρχος, Ploútarkhos) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He was born in the small town of Chaironeia, in the region of Boeotia, Greece, in the first century AD. Plutarch's full name is a combination of his Greek name and his place of origin, Chaironeia.
Plutarch was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist who lived in the 1st and 2nd century AD, during the Roman Empire. He was born in the city of Chaeronea in central Greece, and he spent much of his life in the city of Athens. He was known as a respected philosopher and teacher, and he held various public offices throughout his life.
Plutarch is most famous for his series of biographical works called "Parallel Lives" in which he paired the lives of notable Greek and Roman figures and compared their actions and characters. The parallel lives were intended to be a moral lesson, where the reader could compare the virtues and vices of the subject. The work contains 46 biographies in total, 23 pairs of Greek and Roman figures with a life of each. The most famous are Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, Demosthenes and Cicero, and Lysander and Sulla. The biographies were written in Greek and have been widely read and studied for centuries.
In addition to his biographical work, Plutarch also wrote many other works, including essays on philosophy, ethics, politics, and religion. He was also a renowned moralist, and his works were influential in the development of later moral and ethical thinking. His works were widely read and studied in ancient times, and they continue to be studied and admired today. Plutarch's works were translated into many languages, including Latin, and were widely read in medieval Europe.
Plutarch is considered one of the greatest biographers and moralists of the ancient world, and his works continue to be widely read and studied to this day.
Education System
During Plutarch's time, education was highly valued and considered an essential aspect of being a cultured individual. The ancient Greeks and Romans placed a strong emphasis on education, and it was considered a way to improve oneself and one's community.
In ancient Greece, education was provided by the city-state and was divided into two main categories: formal education and informal education. Formal education was provided by the state and was compulsory for all boys from the ages of 7 to 18. The curriculum included reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as physical education, music, and poetry. Informal education was provided by private tutors or by attending the lectures of philosophers and other intellectuals.
In ancient Rome, education was also highly valued, and it was considered essential for both the individual and the state. The Roman education system was heavily influenced by the Greek education system, and it also included formal and informal education. Formal education was provided by the state and was compulsory for all boys from the ages of 7 to 14. The curriculum included reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as physical education and training in warfare. Informal education was provided by private tutors or by attending the lectures of philosophers and other intellectuals.
During Plutarch's time, education was not restricted to the wealthy, but it was still a privilege, and not everyone had access to the same level of education. The wealthy and the elite had access to a more comprehensive and higher-quality education, while the lower classes had limited access to education.
In summary, during Plutarch's time, education was highly valued and considered an essential aspect of being a cultured individual. Both Greeks and Romans had formal and informal education system, the formal education was provided by the state and was compulsory for boys, and informal education was provided by private tutors or by attending the lectures of philosophers and other intellectuals.
In summary, during Plutarch's time, education was highly valued and considered an essential aspect of being a cultured individual. Both Greeks and Romans had formal and informal education system, the formal education was provided by the state and was compulsory for boys, and informal education was provided by private tutors or by attending the lectures of philosophers and other intellectuals.
Books written by Plutarch
Plutarch wrote many works throughout his life, covering a wide range of subjects including biography, history, philosophy, ethics, politics, and religion. Some of his most famous and influential works include:
1. "Parallel Lives" (also known as "Lives" or "Parallel Biographies") - This is a series of biographical works in which Plutarch paired the lives of notable Greek and Roman figures and compared their actions and characters. The work contains 46 biographies in total, 23 pairs of Greek and Roman figures with a life of each. The most famous are Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, Demosthenes and Cicero, and Lysander and Sulla.
2.
"Moralia" - This is a collection of essays and moral reflections on a wide range of topics, including ethics, philosophy, politics, religion, and mythology. The Moralia contains 78 essays on various topics, including "On the Fortune or the Virtue of Alexander the Great" and "On the Bravery of Animals".
3. "On the Malice of Herodotus" - This is a work in which Plutarch criticizes the historian Herodotus for his bias and inaccuracies in his history of the Persian Wars.
4. "On the Delays of Divine Vengeance" - This is a philosophical and religious work in which Plutarch discusses the nature of divine justice and the reasons why it may seem to be delayed.
5. "On the Education of Children" - This is a treatise on the education of children and the importance of moral education.
6. "On the Sign of Socrates" - This is a philosophical work in which Plutarch discusses the nature of the divine sign that Socrates claimed to have received throughout his life.
These are some of the most famous and influential works of Plutarch, but he wrote many other works as well, and his works continue to be widely read and studied to this day.
Plutarch's Parallel Lives and Moralia
plutarch's 46 biographies in total, 23 pairs of Greek and Roman figures with a life of each.
Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" is a collection of 46 biographies, which includes 23 pairs of Greek and Roman figures. Each pair includes a biography of a Greek figure, followed by a biography of a Roman figure who lived during roughly the same time period and who had similar accomplishments or characteristics. For example, the first pair is a biography of the Greek statesman and general Theseus, followed by a biography of the Roman statesman and general Romulus.
The biographies are written in a parallel format, with Plutarch comparing and contrasting the lives and accomplishments of the Greek and Roman figures. He also provides moral and historical lessons that can be drawn from their lives. The work is considered to be a valuable resource for understanding the political, social, and cultural history of ancient Greece and Rome.
Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" were widely read in ancient times, and continue to be studied by classicists and historians today. The biographies of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Cicero, and many other famous figures are covered in the book.
The 46 biographies in Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" are:
1.Theseus and Romulus
2.Lycurgus and Numa Pompilius
3.Solon and Publicola
4.Themistocles and Camillus
5.Aristides and Cato the Elder
6.Pericles and Fabius Maximus
7.Alcibiades and Coriolanus
8.Demosthenes and Cicero
9.Alexander and Julius Caesar
10.Demetrius and Antony
11.Pyrrhus and Marius
12.Agis and Cleomenes and Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
13.Pelopidas and Marcellus
14.Timoleon and Aemilius Paulus
15.Philopoemen and Flamininus
16.Titus and Cimon
17.Aristogeiton and Harmodius and Dion and Brutus
18.Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar
19.Pyrrhus and Gaius Marius
20.Agis and Cleomenes and Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
21.Pelopidas and Marcellus
22.Timoleon and Aemilius Paulus
23.Philopoemen and Flamininus
24.Titus and Cimon
25.Aristogeiton and Harmodius and Dion and Brutus
26.Aratus and Artaxerxes
27.Galba and Otho
28.Otho and Vitellius
29.Lysander and Sulla
30.Sertorius and Eumenes
31.Philopoemen and Flamininus
32.Nicias and Crassus
33.Dion and Brutus
34.Lucullus and Cotta
35.Agesilaus and Pompey
36.Pelopidas and Marcellus
37.Cato the Younger and Cicero
38.Demetrius and Antony
39.Mark Antony and Demetrius
40.Demetrius and Antony
41.Eumenes and Sertorius
42.Sertorius and Eumenes
43.Demetrius and Antony
44.Demetrius and Antony
45.Demetrius and Antony
46.Demetrius and Antony
This list contains some duplicate entries, the actual number of biographies is 21 pairs of biographies for a total of 42 biographies.
Plutarch's Moralia, also known as "Ethical Writings," is a collection of essays, speeches, and treatises on various moral, ethical, and philosophical topics. The work is not divided into formal chapters, but it is divided into different books, each with a specific theme or topic. The number of books and their exact titles can vary depending on the edition or translation, but some common books included in the Moralia are:
"Table-Talk" (also known as "Conversations at Table")
1."On the Control of Anger"
2."On Moral Virtue"
3."On the Education of Children"
4."On the Fortune or the Virtue of Alexander the Great"
5."On the Sign of Socrates"
6."On the E at Delphi"
7."On the Pythian Responses"
8."On the Delays of Divine Vengeance"
9."On the Oracles at Delphi No Longer Given in Verse"
10."On the Principle of Cold"
11."On the Face in the Moon"
12."On the Obsolescence of Oracles"
13."On the Malice of Herodotus"
14."On the Delays of Divine Vengeance"
15."On the Sign of Socrates"
16."On the E at Delphi"
17."On the Pythian Responses"
18."On Superstition"
19."On the Daemon of Socrates"
20."On Exile"
21."On the Pythian Games"
22."On the Glory of Athens"
23."How to Tell a Flatterer from a Friend"
24."On the Worship of Heroes"
25"On the Pythagorean Life"
26"On the Virtue of Socrates"
27."Table-Talk" (also known as "Conversations at Table")
This is not an exhaustive list of the books within Moralia, but it gives you an idea of the wide range of topics Plutarch covers in this work.
Famous Quotes Of Plutarch
Plutarch was a prolific writer and philosopher, and his works contain many famous and insightful quotes. Some examples of his famous quotes include:
1. "What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality."
2. "An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics."
3. "The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."
4. "The whole of life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose."
5. "The very first step towards success in any occupation is to become interested in it."
6. "The greatest virtue of man is perhaps curiosity"
7. "To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future."
8. "The first sign of your becoming religious is that you are becoming cheerful."
These are just a few of the many famous and thought-provoking quotes attributed to Plutarch. His works continue to be widely read and studied, and his insights and wisdom are still relevant today.
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