A Companion to Plutarch

Representing an extensive original survey of the ancient world’s preeminent biographer and historian by leading scholars from around the world, this companion gives readers a clear and concise overview of all major topics of study and a single comprehensive synthesis of Plutarch’s massive and diverse oeuvre. Editor Mark Beck first outlines the history of research on Plutarch and discusses contemporary approaches to the study of the author. The first section gives rich historical, political and cultural background information about life in the Imperial period, and the intellectual currents of the day, which contextualize Plutarch’s thought. The main section focuses on his various biographical projects and other major contributions, including Moralia and his magnum opus the Parallel Lives . Finally, the book investigates Plutarch’s reception from antiquity to the modern period, including his influence in France, and in England on Shakespeare. A Companion to Plutarch offers a broad survey of the famous historian and biographer, for a coherent, comprehensive, and elegant presentation of Plutarch’s thought and influence.

Mark Beck is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of South Carolina, where he teaches courses on Greek and Roman authors and classical civilization courses. He has published numerous articles and chapters on Plutarch and is the author of the forthcoming book, Understanding Classics: Plutarch (2012).