Plutarch's Lives, Volume Ix: Demetrius And Anto... Apr 2026

A powerful Roman general whose life was defined by his relationship with Cleopatra. Plutarch portrays him as a man of great potential who squandered "the most costly outlay"—time—on luxury and diversion. The Point of Comparison: Synkrisis

Through these two lives, Plutarch illustrates the Platonic concept that "great natures produce great vices as well as virtues". A Study in Excess and Self-Destruction Plutarch's Lives, Volume IX: Demetrius and Anto...

The Tragedy of Great Natures: Exploring Plutarch’s Volume IX A powerful Roman general whose life was defined

Plutarch distinguishes their collapses: Demetrius was deserted by his soldiers, but Antony deserted his soldiers by fleeing during battle. Plutarch's Lives, Volume IX: Demetrius and Anto...