Plutarch's Lives Volume 1 (of 4) - Exploring the Lives of Ancient Leaders and Thinkers

Plutarch Plutarch

Translator George Long, Aubrey Stewart

Summary

In "Plutarch's Lives, Volume 1," the esteemed ancient biographer and moral philosopher Plutarch presents a compelling collection of parallel lives that juxtapose prominent Greek and Roman figures. Through his masterful narrative style, Plutarch not only recounts the deeds of individuals like Theseus, Romulus, and Lycurgus but also delves into their moral virtues and vices. This work encapsulates the moral philosophy of the Hellenistic period, reflecting on character and ethics while engaging in comparative analysis that reveals deeper insights into governance, virtue, and human behavior. The historical context of the late 1st century AD, marked by a cultural synthesis of Greek and Roman ideals, permeates his writing, establishing a timeless relevance that resonates even today. Plutarch, born in 46 AD in Chaeronea, Greece, and educated in Athens, was deeply influenced by both Platonic thought and the political turmoil of his time. His diverse career as a biographer, essayist, and priest of Apollo at Delphi enriched his understanding of the complexities of human character and leadership. This extensive background led him to explore the lives of notable figures, aiming to provide ethical lessons that remain applicable through the ages. This volume is highly recommended for readers interested in ancient history, philosophy, and ethics. Plutarch's vivid storytelling and insightful analyses illuminate the lives of extraordinary individuals, prompting introspection into one'Äôs own moral compass. Whether you are a scholar or a casual reader, "Plutarch's Lives" will deepen your appreciation for the intricate connections between past and present, urging you to reflect on the enduring nature of virtue.

Available since: 08/12/2023.

Print length: 457 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Misfit - The Unravelling of...

Amanda Goff

The Unravelling of Samantha X.  
 
‘I wanted to go back to the real me, Amanda Goff. Yet there was just one problem. I had no idea who she was. I had no idea who I was. I hadn’t been Amanda for years, decades. Samantha wasn’t leaving just yet; she wasn’t going to make a quiet exit. She wasn’t that type of woman.’ 
 
Amanda Goff was a successful journalist in London and Sydney before ditching her nine-to-five job at the age of 38 to become Samantha X, Australia’s most famous escort. A bipolar diagnosis changed everything: she retired from sex work, walked away from Samantha X, and went in search of Amanda.  
 
Misfit is her third memoir – but the first written as ‘herself’. Raw, honest, provocative, wise and often laugh-out-loud funny, this is an unflinching record of her journey along the bumpy path to healing and self-acceptance. Beyond confronting her bipolar disorder and addiction issues, Amanda must also contend with prejudice and judgement, lingering trauma from her earlier life, and her own crushing self-doubt. As she struggles with the realities of so-called normality, the persistent voice of Samantha X is there to remind her of a former life that offered power, money, fame – and protection from the challenges that Amanda has courageously chosen to tackle head-on. 
 
‘Written with raw honesty, extraordinary courage and non-stop brio’ PROFESSOR GORDON PARKER, founder, the Black Dog Institute

Show book

The Cadence of a Song - The Life...

Fiona J. Mackenzie

The first biography of one of the twentieth century's foremost champions of Hebridean culture.
The American-born folklorist and musician Margaret Fay Shaw's passion for the Hebrides led her to the island of South Uist in 1929 and then to Canna in 1935 as the wife of the eminent folklorist John Lorne Campbell.
Her extraordinary work in documenting and preserving traditional Gaelic songs and customs remains a vital resource for understanding Hebridean music, and the Campbells' house on Canna is a unique collection of priceless material celebrating the Hebridean world. This vast archive also includes Margarets collection of still and film photography, which capture the essence of island life at a time when old traditions were vanishing.
This book celebrates the legacy and life of a remarkable woman, who herself wrote with such wit and flair of her travels and adventures and which took her from turn of-the-century Pennsylvania to 1920s New York, Paris, Nova Scotia and the Hebrides, where she lived until her death in 2004.
Fiona J. Mackenzie has been named as one of The List's Hot 100 Arts and Culture Contributors in Scotland for 2025.

Show book

Beyond the Break - The...

Christo Hall

What can a big wave teach you about living a big life? 
 
 
 
Sharing remarkable experiences from the world of professional surfing, Christo Hall offers a unique perspective on how we operate under pressure. Beyond the Break tells the story of a man finding his path in life—and the surf lessons along the way that shaped his attitude for entrepreneurial success. 
 
  
 
From big waves in Hawaii to swimming with sharks in South Africa, Christo reveals an intimate glimpse inside the mindset and lifestyle of a pro surfer. His journey from sportsman to renowned business mentor interlaces stories of adrenaline-stoked competitions and misadventures in partying with insightful reflections. 
 
 
 
From Christo's stories and practical advice, you'll discover how to handle your own inner critic; understand your limits and pick your battles; overcome failures and move forward to success; hone your mindset and boost your focus; and find your motivation and align your goals with your purpose. 
 
 
 
With Beyond the Break, you'll find the inspirational stories and the tips and strategies you need to take your own adventures to next level—in surf, business, and life.

Show book

Revolution A Secret History Of...

Geoffrey Giuliano, Avalon Giuliano

"This guy knows more about my life than I do." George Harrison on Geoffrey Giuliano, 1983 "Although I've personally known George Harrison for over twenty-five years, I actually feel a lot closer to the real man after reading Giuliano's masterful book." Denny Laine, of The Moody Blues and Wings "Writing about the music is a tricky business. It's only the experience of the music which has meaning. . Giuliano's that one in a million who can whittle down the dreams of an entire generation into something tangible, we can all touch, feel, taste, see, and even hear. That's what the Beatles did too, all those years ago Roy Orbison "Geoffrey is one of a very elite group of writers: those who deal well with the magical spears of our times; those whose tools are their own clear vision." Richie Havens "This is a great biography - and Giuliano's a wonderful human to boot." Steve Holly, drummer for Wings Once again internationally acclaimed, best-selling biographers, Geoffrey Giuliano and Avalon Giuliano tear back the decades-old veil of myth and unquestioning hero worship surrounding the Beatles’ turbulent lives and present the frank, often heart-wrenching tale of four young men from Liverpool thrust upon the world stage and into the stratosphere of untouchable super-stardom. Utilizing a wealth of unpublished personal correspondence, never-before-heard taped conversations, obscure studio and home recordings, lost songs and the forgotten diaries the group left behind at the Maharishi’s ashram in 1968, Revolution is the last word on the Beatles' astounding life and times. For the first time, family members, friends, and colleagues speak out exclusively on the often-oppressive constraints of global Beatlemania and the life-changing effect it had on the Boys. In their own words as well as in the words of those around them, we follow John, Paul, George and Ringo from their childhood in Liverpool and seedy days in Hamburg to the heights of Beatlemania

Show book

History for Kids: Sacagawea and...

Editors Charles River

*Perfect for ages 7-10
In Charles River Editors’ History for Kids series, your children can learn about history’s most important people and events in an easy, entertaining, and educational way. Pictures help bring the story to life, and the concise but comprehensive book will keep your kid’s attention all the way to the end.
It is the most fabled and storied journey in American history. From 1804-1806, the first expedition across the North American continent was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, who had recently bought a vast swath of territory from France. Though he knew he had bought a huge amount of land, Jefferson wasn’t entirely sure of what he had bought, so he asked a team led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to traverse the continent until they reached the Pacific, studying everything from the ecology to geography along the way to get an understanding of the country’s new region.
Lewis and Clark would find far more than they bargained for. The 33 members who made the trip came into contact with about two dozen Native American tribes, many of whom helped the men survive the journey. Though they suffered deaths on their way west, the group ultimately reached the Pacific coast and got back to St. Louis in 1806, having drawn up nearly 150 maps and giving America a good idea of much of what lay west.
As a young woman who was married to a French trapper from Quebec, Sacagawea happened to be in the right place at the right time for the legendary Lewis and Clark expedition, which set off for the Pacific coast after President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with France. The young Shoshone girl acted as a guide and interpreter for the expedition, helping it safely travel thousands of miles west from North Dakota to the Pacific over unfamiliar ground and amongst unfamiliar peoples. Put simply, the expedition could not have succeeded without her.

Show book

Aunt Hettie on Matrimony - From...

Fanny Fern

The bookshelves of American literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors.  From this continent their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure.  Among them is Fanny Fern.

Show book