Plutarch's Lives, Volume Ix: Demetrius And Anto... May 2026

In the Comparison of Demetrius and Antony that concludes their section, Plutarch makes several biting distinctions:

Plutarch’s Parallel Lives , specifically of the Loeb Classical Library edition , presents a fascinating departure from his typical biographical formula. While Plutarch generally highlights virtuous men to inspire imitation, the pairing of Demetrius Poliorcetes and Mark Antony serves as a stark "negative example". Plutarch's Lives, Volume IX: Demetrius and Anto...

A powerful Roman general whose life was defined by his relationship with Cleopatra. Plutarch portrays him as a man of great potential who squandered "the most costly outlay"—time—on luxury and diversion. The Point of Comparison: Synkrisis In the Comparison of Demetrius and Antony that