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I thought this to be interesting. While I have learned about most of the covered material before, it was interesting seeing how an ancient author wrote on it. It was also interesting seeing Plutarch's commentary on certain issues. Main downside is that this contains half of Plutarch's "Parallel Lives" where he compares a Greek figure with a Roman, then does a summary of the two. As a result, it can be slightly difficult to follow the summaries.

"As he left the forum he said to those who were with him: 'It is certainly sordid to do the wrong thing, and anyone can do the right thing when there is no danger attached; what distinguishes the good man from others is that when danger is involved he still does right."
-Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"

"A city, like a ship, can gain stability from opposed forces which together prevent it rocking one way or the other; but now these forces were united into one and there was nothing to stop the movement of violent party interest from overthrowing everything."
-Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"

"The ordinary mind will see in his plight an example of the fickleness of fortune, but to the wise it will seem rather an example of reckless ambition. Because of this he was not content to be first and greatest among many millions; simply from the fact that two men were judged superior to him, he concluded that he had nothing at all."
-Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"

"However, I should have to write another essay altogether to determine the point whether this is a real change and revolution in a man's nature, brought about by fortune, or whether it is rather the case that when a man is in power the evil that has been latent in him reveals itself openly."
-Plutarch, "Fall of the Roman Republic"

Next up for reading. Returning to ancient Rome.
#Rome #RomanRepublic

This book was one of my sources for an essay for uni. I found it to be pretty enjoyable to read and a good introduction to Plutarch as a writer and philosopher. Understandably, it focuses on Plutarch‘s “Lives” and a few other texts he‘s most famous for, but I think it still gives a good overall view. Would recommend if you want to learn about Plutarch (but also be sure to read Plutarch‘s own writings).
7/10

The shade around here!

Had to take a break from reading Starless Sea so I can finish up my paper on Spartan religious practices which is due thursday. Hot chocolate to help motivate me because I am not in the mood for writing 😣 #classicistsoflitsy #almostwinterbreak #iwillsurvive

Tough reading, especially if rhetorical arguments for and against stoicism and Platonism are not something your mind effortlessly adapts to. Was nice to get an overview of this Greek classic from the Roman Empire and to get a sense of the difference between what Plutarch wrote (in Greek) and what Shakespeare read (a translation of a translation with some flair added in)