Plutarch's Parallel Lives

This interview podcast delves into the life and works of Plutarch, the Greek biographer known for his *Parallel Lives*. The discussion begins with an overview of Plutarch's early life and travels, highlighting his unique position as a Greek living under Roman rule. The hosts then explore the structure and purpose of *Parallel Lives*, examining Plutarch's method of pairing Greek and Roman figures to explore moral themes and character development. Specific examples, such as the pairings of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, and Pericles and Fabius Maximus, are analyzed to illustrate Plutarch's approach. The podcast concludes by discussing Plutarch's lasting influence on subsequent writers, including Shakespeare, and his impact on shaping perceptions of the classical world, noting that Shakespeare's plays *Julius Caesar*, *Antony and Cleopatra*, and *Coriolanus* drew heavily from Plutarch's work.