Plutarch: The Life Of Cicero (plutarch's Lives: Classical Texts)

Plutarch has always been one of the most popular Classical authors. Diversity and importance of theme, flexibility and richness of style, descriptive and narrative flair, intellectual breadth and penetration, moral seriousness allied to warmth and humanity – these are some of the many sources of his appeal. His Life of Cicero is one of his greatest works. It is a valuable historical document, largely based on contemporary sources, and it preserves important information about events in 63 and 43 BC; it also gives a perceptive analysis of Cicero’s character and psychology and achieves tragic depth and grandeur. This edition is addressed to a wide audience, from first-time readers to specialists. A full introduction explores the many different facets of Plutarch’s art. The translation maintains the word patterns of the original, thus bringing the reader without Greek closer than ever before to the essential qualities of Classical literature. The commentary combines historical documentation with literary and philosophical discussion. Greek text with facing-page English translation, introduction and commentary. This story is set in the mid-fourth century B.C., in the city-state of Syracuse on the island of Sicily. It's the story of two father-and-son tyrant rulers who called themselves kings, both named Dionysius (pronounced Die-oh-nee-see-us). But the main character is Dion (pronounced Dion as in Lion), who was a relative, mentor, and finally mortal enemy to the second Dionysius. It has been pointed out that Dion and his siblings Megacles and Aristomache, as the children of Hipparinus, a wealthy and powerful man, had a social status that the upstart Dionysius I lacked, which suggests that envy might have been partially to blame for the increasing conflict between the families. However, Dionysius was clever enough to make use of Dion's good connections in his dealings with other rulers, where he himself, perhaps, might not have been shown as much respect. Plutarch's Life of Cicero is one of his greatest works. A valuable historical document, largely based on contemporary sources, it also gives a perceptive analysis of Cicero's character and psychology. This edition aims at a wide audience, from first-time readers to specialists. Greek text with facing translation, introduction and commentary. Text with facing translation, commentary and notes. (Aris and Phillips 1989)