The Makers of Rome

An intriguing document giving insight into the founders of the Roman Republic.

These nine biographies illuminate the careers, personalities, and military campaigns of some of Rome's greatest statesmen, whose lives span the earliest days of the Republic to the establishment of the Empire. Selected from Plutarch's Roman Lives, they include prominent figures who achieved fame for their pivotal roles in Roman history, such as soldierly Marcellus, eloquent Cato, and cautious Fabius.

Here too are vivid portraits of the ambitious, hot-tempered Coriolanus; objective, principled Brutus; and open-hearted Mark Antony, who would later be brought to life by Shakespeare. In recounting the lives of these great leaders, Plutarch also explores the problems of statecraft and power and illustrates the Roman people's genius for political compromise, which led to their mastery of the ancient world.