Written as a series of biographies, Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans exhibits Plutarch’s exploration of the character of man. Not a true historian, Plutarch rather set out to display the influence one’s character has on their respective lives and destinies, from Julius Caesar to Mark Antony. The biographies take on a more ethical theme, and while still praising their historical value, provide the reader with insight on past events they thought they knew. In a time where history can often be distorted through countless revision, Plutarch’s Parallel Lives, as it is commonly called, examines these times to create a pathway for a more complete and better understanding.
