Plutarch's Lives - Vol. III : Classic Biographies for Students

In this review of Plutarch's Lives - Vol. III the reviewer recommends the volume to readers seeking moral insight from classical biography. This edition collects translated lives that contrast Greek and Roman figures, and the single biggest reason to buy is its focus on character: Plutarch examines how personal virtues and faults shaped careers and history, making these narratives useful for students, history readers, and anyone curious about leadership in the ancient world. The translation here is presented for modern readers and keeps the comparative structure that makes Plutarch distinctive.

Key Features

• Paired biographies: The book arranges subjects in pairs to illuminate moral similarities and contrasts between Greek and Roman figures, helping readers draw ethical and practical lessons.
• Notable contents: Includes the Lives of Nikias and Crassus plus their comparison, which offers rich material on leadership and military decision making.
• English translation: The Aubrey Stewart and George Long translation makes early second century material accessible to contemporary readers while preserving Plutarch's analytic tone.
• Diverse profiles: Features a range of figures such as Sertorius and Eumenes, providing varied examples of political and military conduct across cultures.
• Readable format: Presented as a single volume for focused study, suitable for classroom reference or private reading.

Who It's For

This volume is ideal for undergraduate students studying classical history or literature who need primary-source perspectives on character and leadership, and for general readers who prefer biography to broad historical narrative. The comparative chapters provide material that is often cited in courses on ethics, rhetoric, and ancient warfare.

Readers seeking a comprehensive modern commentary or a heavily annotated critical edition should look elsewhere; this is a readable translation aimed at enjoyment and insight rather than exhaustive scholarly apparatus.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well-structured pairings that clarify moral contrasts and similarities between figures.
• Translation by Aubrey Stewart and George Long offers clear, approachable English for modern readers.
• Contains specific lives like Nikias, Crassus, Sertorius, and Eumenes that illustrate military and political themes.

Cons

• Limited critical notes or footnotes for readers seeking deep academic commentary.

Specifications

Title	Plutarch's Lives - Vol. III
Translator	Aubrey Stewart and George Long
Contents include	Life of Nikias; Life of Crassus; Comparison of Nikias and Crassus; Life of Sertorius; Life of Eumenes
Original period	Early 2nd century AD authorship (Plutarch)
Genre	Classical biography / historical lives
Intended reader	Modern readers with interest in ancient Greece and Rome

Our Verdict

Plutarch's Lives - Vol. III is a solid purchase for readers who value moral and character-focused biography as a lens on ancient history. While not a heavily annotated scholarly edition, it delivers readable translations and carefully chosen pairings that make the text useful in classrooms and for personal study, offering good value to anyone interested in leadership, ethics, and classical figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which lives are included in this volume?
The volume includes the Lives of Nikias, Crassus, a Comparison of Nikias and Crassus, Sertorius, and Eumenes among others noted in the table.

Is this a modern annotated edition?
No, this presentation offers the Aubrey Stewart and George Long translation for modern readers but does not function as a fully annotated critical edition.

Who will benefit most from this book?
Students of classical history, readers interested in moral biography, and those studying leadership examples in the ancient world will find it most useful.