Plutarch and the Early Roman Empire

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This advanced course introduces students to the most famous biographical literature from antiquity, Plutarch's Parallel Lives. Illuminating the virtues and vices of famous and infamous men from Greek and Roman history, the Parallel Lives offers an important guide to understanding the ethical imperatives of the Greco-Roman world. Plutarch's literary style, his conception of biography, and the Roman imperial context in which he wrote are key themes for discussion in the course. "Recommended for students with advanced Greek skills.