Plutarch - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Plutarch (c. 46-120 CE), born Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus, stands as one of antiquity's most influential biographers and moral philosophers, whose works have profoundly shaped our understanding of classical civilization and the art of biographical writing. A Greek scholar who became a Roman citizen, Plutarch embodied the cultural synthesis of the Roman Empire while maintaining his Greek intellectual heritage.
First emerging into historical record as a student at the Academy of Athens around 66 CE, Plutarch's early life coincided with a period of remarkable political transformation in the Roman Empire. His extensive travels between Greece and Rome, coupled with his philosophical education and eventual appointment as priest at the Oracle of Delphi, provided him with unique insights into both Greek and Roman societies. Contemporary sources, including letters from his friend Favorinus, reveal a man deeply committed to both scholarship and public service.
Plutarch's magnum opus, "Parallel Lives," revolutionized biographical writing by pairing prominent Greeks and Romans to explore their moral character rather than merely recounting their deeds. This innovative approach, combining careful historical research with psychological insight, influenced countless writers from Shakespeare to Michel de Montaigne. Less widely known but equally significant are his "Moralia," a collection of philosophical essays that range from practical advice to metaphysical speculation. These works reveal Plutarch's fascinating method of using historical examples to illuminate universal truths about human nature.
His legacy extends far beyond the ancient world, shaping Renaissance humanism and modern biographical writing. Plutarch's emphasis on character over chronology continues to influence contemporary approaches to life-writing, while his philosophical insights into ethics and leadership remain remarkably relevant. Modern scholars still debate the extent of his historical accuracy and his possible political motivations in portraying certain figures. Perhaps most intriguingly, Plutarch's work raises enduring questions about the relationship between biography and moral instruction: can the study of individual lives reveal universal truths about human nature, and how do personal narratives shape our understanding of history itself?