In Greek Lives, Plutarch allows us to learn about, and understand, the lives of several interesting and important historical figures from Ancient Greece. In these biographies, we learn about their rise, their power, their deaths, and the insight all of these figures had. Of the seven men Plutarch talks about, I found Lycurgus, Cimon, Pericles, and Alexander the most interesting.
Lycurgus was a very important figure within Spartan society. He was focused on the good of the people, not power and control. We first see this after the death of his father and older brother, where Lycurgus was supposed to become the king of Sparta until it was discovered that his older brother had a pregnant wife, whose child would end up inheriting the title instead. Lycurgus, instead of killing the baby and taking the title for himself, allowed the child to be born, naming him Charles. From this moment on, the Spartan community loved Lycurgus and looked at him as their king, despite Charilaus being crowned. While Charilaus grew up, Lycurgus decided to leave Sparta in case something were to happen to the king, so that he wouldn’t be blamed for his death. During this time, Lycurgus traveled to several places such as Crete, Ionia, and Egypt. In these places, Lycurgus studied their governments so that he could bring back new ideas to Sparta, to help improve the government.
Once he returned, Lycurgus shared what he learned with the Spartan people. He did everything he could to make Sparta a place of harmony, equality, and simplicity. (1, ahistoryofgreece.com) Lycurgus first started by appointing a senate of men that would vote on important matters to make decisions in Sparta, less like a dictatorship and more like a democracy. Lycurgus then made most of the money in Sparta worthless. First, he made it so that the land was distributed equally amongst the people. Secondly, he changed the currency from gold and silver to iron, having crime decrease significantly and removing jobs such as prostitution and fortune-telling. Thirdly, he made it so that everyone had to eat their meals in public, making it so the rich couldn’t eat at home and brag about the abundance of food that they had because everyone had to eat the same thing at the same time. Even when the rich tried to rebel against Lycurgus, with one blinding him in one eye, he took the man into his home and treated him with kindness.
Lycurgus also thought education was very important, which is why none of his laws were ever in writing. He wanted the people of Sparta to learn them and through education, his laws would be passed down by word of mouth. Focusing so much on education, Lycurgus wanted Spartan women to be educated as well. Nudity wasn’t looked down upon in Sparta, in fact, it was welcomed, and women were looked at to have pride over their bodies just as much as the men were. Lycurgus wanted strong families in order to create strong Spartan soldiers. Lycurgus believed that a strong democracy started within the family and that enemies would not invade their land if they continued to live equally amongst each other. Lycurgus allowed the Spartan people to think freely for themselves without focusing on wealth. (5, Greek Lives) I completely understand why the people of Sparta loved and respected Lycurgus as much as they did. Instead of trying to control the Spartan people under a government that only cares about money, Lycurgus made it so the Spartan people were equal.
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Pericles was an influential statesman who was born into a wealthy family. Due to his parent's status, he got a good education and was deeply invested in the arts, such as literature and philosophy. His wealth and money made him famous within Athens, but he was introverted and rarely appeared in public, mainly focusing on his studies. He did not get involved in politics until his rival, Cimon, took over the aristocratic party. Using his love for the arts to his advantage, he decided to challenge Cimon, by allowing the poor to put on plays and play instruments for the money. Without even being elected, Pericles became the most powerful man in Athens. Under Pericles' rule, Athens became the center of education, art, culture, and democracy. Artists of all kinds, such as sculptors, poets, and architects we’re all located in Athens. During this time, the Parthenon was created. Sculptors such as Phidias, who created the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the statue of Athena Parthenos for the Parthenon, and philosophers such as Protagoras, were close friends with Pericles. (2, ancient.EU) The Age of Pericles is so important because his love for the arts is still influential to this day, even though he had a lot of enemies.
Cimon, however, was one of Athens's greatest military generals. He had trusted in the Spartan people and even worked to lessen the tension between the two nations. He was popular amongst the people of Athens and would even have his rich friends give out clothing to the poor, as well as invited them into his home to share his food with them. For over ten years, he was the most popular politician in Athens. Cimon had his greatest victory as a military general when weakened the Persian control over the eastern Mediterranean and drove the Persian people out of the Thracian Chersonese. But in the midst of this, Pericles exiled him from Athens after they discovered he was bribed to not attack the king of Macedonia. After he returned, Cimon continued to work to grant peace between Sparta and Athens. (3, Britannica) The relationship between Pericles and Cimon is very interesting to me because they are both very similar but also contrastingly different. Individually, they both represent important factors in the history of Greece. Cimon, for his straightforward ability to be a natural leader, and Pericles for his influence on the arts.
Alexander The Great was the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon and “established the largest empire the ancient world as ever seen.” (4, history.com) Alexander had always shown great bravery even as a young man, with examples being capturing a large horse, leading a battle against an unbeatable army, and killing his father's rivals after his assassination. Alexander referred to himself as the son of Zeus and modeled his behavior after Achilles and Hercules.
Alexander then fought through countless battles, such as the Battle of Issus, the Battle of Tyre, and the Battle of Granicus and sliced through the Gordian Knot. During this time, his courage and ability to never be defeated were clear, causing King Darius of Persia to flee before the battles could be finished. Alexander then traveled to Egypt. There, he created a Greek town in Egypt, named Alexandria. After that, he battled against King Darius in the Battle of Gaugamela, where he came out on top. ‘With the collapse of the Persian army, Alexander became 'King of Babylon, King of Asia, King of the Four Quarters of the World.'’ (6, biography.com) Alexander was a respected military general due to his courage and ability to adapt his skills to any enemy, to ensure that he would always come out on top. The period in history in which he invaded multiple empires is called the Hellenistic period, ‘from 'Hellazein' which means 'to speak Greek or identify with the Greeks.'’ (4, history.com)
From Lycurgus' good heart, Pericles’ dedication to the arts, Cimon’s military skills, and Alexander’s bravery, there’s no surprise to me why these four men are so important to Greek history. In my opinion, these four men showcase some of the most important quality traits any influential leader could have. Personally, I find Lycurgus’ story the most interesting. From the very start, he showed how good of a person he was and how great of a leader he would become. His dedication to making Sparta equal for all stands out to me over the rest.
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