Lives, Volume VIII

Plutarch (Plutarchus), circa 45–120 CE, was born at Chaeronea in Boeotia in central Greece. He studied philosophy in Athens and, after arriving in Rome as a philosophy teacher, was honoured with consular rank by Emperor Trajan and a procuratorship in Greece by Hadrian. Plutarch was married and the father of one daughter and four sons. He is portrayed as a man of kindly character and independent thought, studious and learned.

Plutarch wrote on many subjects, but his most popular works have always been the 46 Parallel Lives. These are biographies planned as ethical examples in pairs, with each pair featuring one Greek figure and one similar Roman, although the last four lives are presented singly. These works are invaluable sources of knowledge on the lives and characters of Greek and Roman statesmen, soldiers, and orators.

Additionally, Plutarch's many other varied extant works, around 60 in number, are referred to as Moralia or Moral Essays. They possess high literary value and are immensely useful for those interested in philosophy, ethics, and religion.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of the Lives is available in eleven volumes.