Plutarch's Lives: Volume I

Plutarch's Lives is a collection of individual biographies, often presented in pairs comparing a Greek and a Roman figure. Each life can generally be read independently, though the parallel structure invites comparison.

Plutarch's Lives is a foundational text for understanding ancient Greek and Roman history and culture, serving as a primary source for many later historians and writers, including Shakespeare. It offers insights into the moral philosophy and political thought of the classical world.

There are several notable translations of Plutarch's Lives, with popular choices including those by John Dryden (revised by Arthur Hugh Clough) for its literary quality, and the more modern Penguin Classics translations by Rex Warner and Ian Scott-Kilvert for their accessibility.