Plutarch was an influential Greek historian and essayist known for his biographies of notable Greeks and Romans. His famous collection, Parallel Lives, offers insightful comparisons between historical figures, shaping our understanding of ancient leadership and morality.
If you enjoy reading books by Plutarch then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoyed Plutarch's vivid portraits of ancient figures, you'll appreciate Suetonius. His book, The Twelve Caesars, offers short, lively biographies of Roman emperors.
Filled with engaging stories and colorful anecdotes, Suetonius explores both their public deeds and private lives.
Tacitus offers insightful and sharp analyses of power, ambition, and morality, similar to what readers find appealing in Plutarch.
In The Annals, Tacitus writes clearly and thoughtfully about the Roman Empire's rulers, criticizing corruption and tyranny and exploring human motivation.
If you like Plutarch's storytelling and emphasis on moral lessons, Livy may be a good fit for you.
In his monumental work, Ab Urbe Condita ("From the Founding of the City"), Livy narrates the history of Rome with an engaging narrative style and a focus on courage, virtue, and character.
For readers drawn to Plutarch's clear prose and exploration of strong characters, Xenophon is an excellent choice. His book, Anabasis, is an adventurous yet thoughtful account of Greek mercenaries journeying home after a battle, highlighting leadership, bravery, and loyalty.
Cornelius Nepos writes short, clear biographies similar to Plutarch, often structured around highlighting character traits and virtues.
His collection, Lives of Eminent Commanders, presents biographies of figures from various backgrounds, emphasizing personal qualities, military skill, and moral character.
Diogenes Laërtius wrote biographies that capture the lives and thoughts of Greek philosophers. His style is straightforward and informative, often including anecdotes to illustrate the philosophers' personalities and ideas.
If you liked the historical depth of Plutarch, you might enjoy Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, his best-known book.
Arrian was a historian who wrote clear and detailed accounts of historic events while drawing readers into ancient battles and heroic actions. Like Plutarch, he blends story-telling with careful historical research.
His work The Campaigns of Alexander vividly recounts the conquests and adventures of Alexander the Great.
Seneca the Younger was a Roman philosopher whose writing is full of wisdom about morality, ethics, and how to live a good life. His style is thoughtful, conversational, and full of practical advice, similar to Plutarch's moral insights.
A good place to start is Letters to Lucilius, which offers clear and accessible reflections on everyday living and philosophy.
Cicero is well-known for his rhetorical skill, eloquent prose, and insightful examinations of politics, morality, and society. He offers readers a view into Roman life and thought, much as Plutarch does, through narrative and careful analysis.
In his work On Duties (De Officiis), Cicero presents clear guidelines on ethics, leading a responsible life, and civic duty.
Michel de Montaigne wrote reflective essays on wide-ranging topics like human nature, society, and personal experience. His conversational, self-exploratory style invites readers into deep discussion without being heavy or overly formal.
If you enjoy the personal insights found in Plutarch's writings, you'll likely appreciate Montaigne's Essays, filled with thoughtful observations on everyday life.
Samuel Johnson was an eighteenth-century English author famous for his clear and thoughtful writing on ethics, character, and society.
If you appreciate Plutarch's observations about human nature and moral decisions, you'll likely enjoy Johnson's essays in The Lives of the Poets. His narratives blend biography and critical insights, illuminating the character and ideas of prominent literary figures.
James Boswell is best known for his detailed and informal approach to biography. His Life of Samuel Johnson gives a lively, engaging portrait similar to Plutarch's style.
Boswell's personal anecdotes and direct observations offer readers an intimate look at Johnson's character, thoughts, and conversations, making historical figures feel relatable and real.
Thucydides was an ancient Greek historian who wrote clearly and analytically about politics, war, and human behavior. If you like Plutarch's straightforward storytelling and moral insights, you'll appreciate Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War.
His sharp analysis of human motivations and ethical choices in wartime echoes the themes often seen in Plutarch's biographies.
Herodotus, often called the "Father of History," provides vivid and entertaining accounts of the ancient world in his book The Histories.
Like Plutarch, Herodotus explores human nature, cultural customs, and moral lessons through captivating narratives and a keen sense of curiosity. Readers who enjoy Plutarch's personal storytelling will appreciate Herodotus' accessible style.
Sallust was a Roman historian known for sharply observed portraits of people and politics. In his work The Conspiracy of Catiline, Sallust presents a concise and vivid account of moral decay, ambition, and corruption in Roman society.
Just as Plutarch examines human character and ethics through biography, Sallust uses tightly organized narratives to reflect on morality and civic life.