Makers of Rome: The Nine Lives of Plutarch

by Plutarch

Excellent Book

Mass Market Paperback

About the author

Plutarch (later named, upon becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus; AD 46–AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

CATO, BRUTUS, MARK ANTONY, CLEOPATRA, AND MUCH MORE...

Plutarch (46-120 CE) was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Platonist. This book contains nine of the "Roman Lives" that Plutarch wrote: covering Coriolanus; Fabius Maximus; Marcellus; Cato the Elder; Tiberius Gracchus; Gaius Gracchus; Sertorius; Brutus; and Mark Antony.

He notes that the people felt that "(Fabius Maximus) alone, they believed, possessed a spirit and a dignity of character which were equal to the greatness of the office, and, besides this, he was of an age at which the strength of the body is fully capable of executing the decisions of the brain, while boldness is tempered with discretion." (Pg. 56)

He records that Cato "concludes that the Greeks speak from the lips, but the Romans from the heart." (Pg. 133) He asserts that "a noble nature, an honorable ancestry and a virtuous upbringing can fortify men against grief, and that although fate may defeat the efforts of virtue to avert misfortune, it cannot deprive us of the power to endure it with equanimity." (Pg. 193)

Ih the chapter on Brutus, he records the death of Caesar: "Tullius wrenched Caesar's robe off his shoulders with both hands, while Casca... drew his dagger and gave him the first stab... Caesar found himself attacked from every side, and as he glanced around to see if he could force a way through his attackers, he saw Brutus closing in on him with his dagger drawn. At this he ... yielded up his body to his murderer's blows. Then the conspirators flung themselves upon him with such a frenzy of violence, as they hacked away with their daggers, that they even wounded one another..." (Pg. 237)

He also chronicles the story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony: "they set themselves to charm away the days with a succession of exquisite supper parties. Meanwhile, Cleopatra collected together many kinds of deadly poisons, and tested these on prisoners who had been condemned to death, to discover which was the most painless... she discovered that it was the bite of the asp alone which brought on a kind of drowsy lethargy and numbness..." (Pg. 337)

Antony "found himself abandoned by the cavalry, which likewise deserted to the enemy, and finally when his infantry was routed he retreated into the city, crying out in his rage that Cleopatra had betrayed him to the very men he was fighting for her sake... When he understood that Cleopatra was still alive, Antony eagerly ordered his slaves to lift him up... there was never a more pitiable sight than Antony, covered with blood, struggling in his death agonies and stretching his hands towards Cleopatra... She called him her lord and husband and emperor, and almost forgot her own misfortunes in her pity for his..." (Pg. 340-342)

Plutarch's works are essential parts of any library of ancient history.

[Cole Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Makers of Rome” is a compilation of Plutarch’s “Lives”, specifically 9 of them, that give a dramatic review of Roman history close to its dissolution. A social history of characters and passion, “Makers of Rome” tells us what the Romans told themselves. 4/5, captivating read even 1000 years later.

Plutarch writes like a gossip columnist and I love it. The introduction notes Plutarch as a “social historian”, which means he kind of makes things up that sound correct. The closer the individuals are to the fall of Rome, the more background and internal thought Plutarch provides. While not accurate in many ways, this book is a fascinating insight into what Romans thought their history was. It’s similar to reading a middle school American history text book to learn about the country - very censored and edited to make some people look really good.

Plutarch’s stories provide context for a republic in decline. Multiple individuals began warring with the state, with some individuals being murdered by mob violence. The Grachii are my personal favorite, as their death to aristocratic sponsored mob violence is the first indication of the Republic’s fall. Further stories of Serpetorius and Marc Antony reveal the rot at the core of the Republic. Brutus’ story is the strongest story and it’s clear where Shakespeare got his inspiration from.

If anything, Plutarch gets into the weeds when he really doesn’t need to. Lots of specifics on battles and locations, many of them likely wrong, weigh down the otherwise interesting character work. Modern authors have this same issue, so I’m kind of impressed that it rarely happens here.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading the “Makers of Rome”. A book I picked up for pretty pictures ended up getting me totally obsessed with Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece again! 4/5, would recommend to history fans.