Moralia, V

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

Plutarch wrote on many subjects. His most popular works have always been the 46 Parallel Lives, biographies designed to serve as ethical examples in pairs (each pair comprising one Greek figure and one similar Roman). However, the last four lives are standalone. These works are invaluable sources of our knowledge regarding the lives and characters of Greek and Roman statesmen, soldiers, and orators.

Plutarch's myriad other varied extant works, approximately 60 in number, are known as Moralia or Moral Essays. These works are of high literary value and are greatly beneficial to individuals interested in philosophy, ethics, and religion.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of the Moralia is published in fifteen volumes, with volume XIII being divided into two parts.