Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. I. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1914.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a comparative biography that contrasts the lives and achievements of Solon, the Athenian legislator, and Publicola, one of the founders of the Roman Republic. The author begins by examining Solon's own definition of happiness, arguing that Publicola's life—marked by the prosperity of his descendants, a beautiful end, and the noble use of wealth—actually fit this definition more closely. The comparison then shifts to their political achievements, contrasting Solon's cancellation of debts and constitutional reforms with Publicola's overthrow of the monarchy and establishment of democratic offices. While Solon's laws proved short-lived and failed to prevent the rise of a tyrant, Publicola's political system endured and provided long-term stability. Finally, the author evaluates their respective military exploits and diplomatic skills, highlighting Publicola's triumphs in defending the fledgling Roman Republic.