Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. VII. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1919.
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 essay that evaluates and contrasts the lives and characters of Demosthenes, the great Greek orator, and Cicero, the Roman statesman and writer. The author begins by examining the differences in their oratorical abilities, prose styles, and temperaments, contrasting Demosthenes' seriousness with Cicero's humor and erudition. Next, their attitudes toward self-praise are compared, highlighting Cicero's tendency toward self-glorification in contrast to Demosthenes' humility. The comparison then shifts to their political capabilities and financial integrity, pointing out Cicero's incorruptibility against Demosthenes' financial scandals. Finally, the work depicts their contrasting experiences in exile and their final moments, concluding with Demosthenes' dignified death by poison and Cicero's tragic end.