# Parallel Lives

> biographies of famous Greeks and Romans by Plutarch

**Wikidata**: [Q842337](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q842337)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_Lives)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/parallel-lives

## Summary
Parallel Lives is a collection of biographies by Plutarch that compares the lives of famous Greeks and Romans, serving as a foundational work in historical and biographical literature.

## Key Facts
- Written by Plutarch, a Greek philosopher and historian (c. AD 46 – after AD 119)
- Consists of biographies comparing famous Greeks and Romans, such as Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar
- Classified as a biography (instance_of: Q7725634) and a literary work
- Has the title "Parallel Lives" in English and "Βίοι Παράλληλοι" or "Vitae parallelae" in Greek and Latin
- Includes aliases such as "Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans," "Plutarch's Lives," and "Vitae Parallelae"
- Published with identifier P214: 134144648651463774909, 16158790509138850312, 689154381051630292271
- Has publication date +2002-09-01T00:00:00Z
- Associated with Plutarch's works including philosophical essays and historical accounts
- Maintained by WikiProject Books and categorized under "Category: Literary works"
- Linked to University of Barcelona authority ID: 9812198909105606
- Connected to Dictionary of Archives Terminology with ID "literary-works"
- Part of the Encyclopedia of China (third edition) with ID 223088
- Connected to Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging with ID 13535
- Has sitelink_count: 46 on Wikipedia

## FAQs
**What is the main subject of Parallel Lives?**
Parallel Lives is a collection of biographies that compares the lives of famous Greeks and Romans, focusing on prominent historical figures from both cultures.

**Who is the author of Parallel Lives?**
The work was written by Plutarch, a Greek philosopher and historian who lived from approximately AD 46 to after AD 119.

**What are some notable figures featured in the biographies?**
The biographies include famous figures such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Cato the Younger, comparing their lives and achievements.

**How is Parallel Lives classified?**
Parallel Lives is classified as a biography (instance_of: Q7725634) and a literary work, specifically a type of work of art and subclass of written work.

**What are some alternative titles for the work?**
The work is also known as "Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans," "Plutarch's Lives," and "Vitae Parallelae."

**What is the significance of Parallel Lives in history?**
Parallel Lives is considered a cornerstone of biographical literature and historical analysis, providing insights into ancient history and the character of prominent figures.

**How is Parallel Lives maintained and documented?**
The work is maintained by WikiProject Books and categorized under "Category: Literary works," with structured documentation using the Template:Infobox literary work.

**What are the key identifiers for Parallel Lives?**
Identifiers include P373: Parallel Lives, P1476: Βίοι Παράλληλοι, P12200: various aliases, and publication date +2002-09-01T00:00:00Z.

**What institutions recognize or catalog Parallel Lives?**
Parallel Lives is linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID, Dictionary of Archives Terminology, Encyclopedia of China (third edition), and Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging.

## Why It Matters
Parallel Lives represents a foundational work in the field of historical biography, offering a comparative approach to understanding ancient figures that has influenced historical analysis for centuries. Its method of pairing biographies from different cultures provides unique insights into leadership, character, and historical context that continue to be studied in academic circles. The work's enduring relevance lies in its ability to connect the lives and achievements of individuals across different civilizations, offering a comprehensive view of ancient history that remains valuable for both historical research and educational purposes.

## Notable For
- Being a pioneering work in comparative biographical literature
- Establishing a model for historical analysis through parallel comparisons
- Including influential figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar
- Integrating philosophical insights with historical accounts
- Serving as a primary source for understanding ancient Greek and Roman leadership
- Maintaining its significance as a cornerstone of historical scholarship
- Having multiple translations and interpretations across different cultures
- Being cataloged in major academic and cultural institutions worldwide

## Body
### Overview and Classification
Parallel Lives is a collection of biographies written by Plutarch, a Greek philosopher and historian who lived from approximately AD 46 to after AD 119. The work is classified as a biography (instance_of: Q7725634) and a literary work, specifically a type of work of art and subclass of written work. It falls under the broader category of literature and is maintained by WikiProject Books with categorization under "Category: Literary works."

### Content and Structure
The biographies in Parallel Lives primarily focus on comparing the lives of famous Greeks and Romans, presenting parallel accounts of individuals who achieved similar levels of prominence. The work includes approximately 23 biographies, with each pair typically featuring a Greek and a Roman figure. Notable examples include the biographies of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, as well as Cato the Younger and Crassus.

### Author and Context
Plutarch, the author, was a priest and magistrate in ancient Rome who served in both religious and political capacities. His background provided him with unique perspectives on the social and political conditions of his time, which influenced his approach to historical writing. Parallel Lives was part of a broader body of work that included philosophical essays and historical accounts, reflecting his interests in both philosophy and history.

### Historical Significance
Parallel Lives has had a lasting impact on the field of historical analysis, particularly in the development of biographical literature. Its comparative approach to historical figures has influenced subsequent historians and biographers, establishing a model for understanding the character and achievements of individuals across different cultures. The work remains a primary source for studying ancient history and continues to be referenced in academic circles.

### Publication and Identification
The work has been published with multiple identifiers including P214: 134144648651463774909, 16158790509138850312, 689154381051630292271 and has a publication date of +2002-09-01T00:00:00Z. It is associated with various aliases such as "Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans," "Plutarch's Lives," and "Vitae Parallelae." The work has sitelink_count: 46 on Wikipedia and is linked to the University of Barcelona authority ID: 9812198909105606.

### Cultural and Academic Impact
Parallel Lives has been recognized by various institutions including the Dictionary of Archives Terminology (ID: "literary-works"), the Encyclopedia of China (third edition, ID: 223088), and the Nomenclature for Museum Cataloging (ID: 13535). It has been connected to the Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae with ID R5CMB55TONDPPKYZCQSNGMQASA. The work's significance extends beyond its historical content to its role in shaping the development of biographical writing and historical methodology.

### Legacy and Influence
The enduring relevance of Parallel Lives lies in its ability to connect the lives and achievements of individuals across different civilizations, offering a comprehensive view of ancient history that remains valuable for both historical research and educational purposes. Its influence can be seen in subsequent works of historical biography and its continued study in academic institutions worldwide.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013