Brings together biographical sketches of six men who lived during the period of foreign and civil war that marked the collapse of the Roman Republic.
Dramatic artist and philosopher, Plutarch is widely regarded as the most significant writer of his era, and this collection, taken from his Lives, illuminates the twilight of the old Roman Republic from 120 to 43 B.C. Here he provides sharp and succinct biographies of the greatest statesmen of this turbulent period. Whether describing the power struggle between Marius and Sulla, the battle between Crassus and Spartacus, the death of political idealist Cato, Julius Caesar's brilliant but bloody triumph in Gaul or the eloquent oratory of Cicero, all these accounts offer a fascinating insight into an empire wracked by political divisions. Deeply influential for Shakespeare and many other later writers, the lives continue to intrigue with their exploration of corruption, decadence and the struggle for ultimate power.This is a revised edition of Rex Warner's acclaimed translation, edited by Robin Seager. It includes revised introductions to the biographies, notes and, for the first time, translations, by Seager, of Plutarch's four surviving comparisons between these Roman statesmen and their Greek counterparts.
Dramatic artist, natural scientist and philosopher, Plutarch is widely regarded as the most significant historian of his era, writing sharp and succinct accounts of the greatest politicians and statesman of the classical period. Taken fromThe Lives, a series of biographies spanning the Graeco-Roman age, this collection illuminates the twilight of the old Roman Republic from 157-43 BC. Whether describing the would-be dictators Marius and Sulla, the battle between Crassus and Spartacus, the death of political idealist Crato, Julius Caesar's harrowing triumph in Gaul or the eloquent oratory of Cicero, all offer a fascinating insight into an empire wracked by political divisions. Deeply influential on Shakespeare and many other later writers, they continue to fascinate today with their exploration of corruption, decadence and the struggle for ultimate power.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Dramatic artist, natural scientist and philosopher, Plutarch is widely regarded as the most significant historian of his era, writing sharp and succinct accounts of the greatest politicians and statesman of the classical period. Taken from the Lives, a series of biographies spanning the Graeco-Roman age, this collection illuminates the twilight of the old Roman Republic from 157-43 bc. Whether describing the would-be dictators Marius and Sulla, the battle between Crassus and Spartacus, the death of political idealist Crato, Julius Caesar's harrowing triumph in Gaul or the eloquent oratory of Cicero, all offer a fascinating insight into an empire wracked by political divisions. Deeply influential on Shakespeare and many other later writers, they continue to fascinate today with their exploration of corruption, decadence and the struggle for ultimate power.