Biography
Plutarch of Chaeronea wrote moral biographies of Greek and Roman figures. His parallel Lives were composed under the Roman Empire, but they preserve traditions, anecdotes and political memories that are indispensable for the final century of the Republic.
Major Works
Read the Original
The linked English translations are older public-domain editions hosted by established classical-text archives. They open in a new browser tab.
Reliability and Caution
Plutarch writes as a moral biographer, not as a modern critical historian. He preserves invaluable material, but arranges events around character, ethical contrast and memorable anecdote. His chronology and speeches must therefore be checked against other evidence.
How Livarva Uses This Source
Livarva uses Plutarch as one of the principal ancient voices for personality, political memory and the interpretation of character, while distinguishing his moral purpose from a strictly chronological history.