Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. VI. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1918.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a comparative study contrasting the lives and characters of two great leaders: the Roman general Aemilius Paulus and the Greek commander Timoleon, the liberator of Syracuse. Both men share the common achievement of defeating powerful enemies and liberating cities and islands. The author first analyzes the military differences between them, examining the nature of the adversaries they faced and the character of the armies they led. Next, the comparison shifts to their personal virtues and self-control, focusing on their obedience to law, financial integrity, and resilience in the face of adversity. By contrasting Aemilius's steadfastness and nobility with Timoleon's responses to his circumstances and passions, the work highlights the distinct moral qualities of each hero.