Why people recommend it
Plutarch's Lives, Volume 2 by Plutarch is a collection of parallel biographies of famous Greek and Roman leaders, exploring the moral character and political actions of antiquity's most influential figures. On an episode of The Daily Stoic from June 9, 2023, featuring Rick Rubin, the host discussed how William Shakespeare frequently drew inspiration from Plutarch's writings, likening the Renaissance's cultural revival to a rediscovery of ancient Greek stories and fables. Similarly, on an episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast released on May 1, 2021, guest Sergey Nazarov credited biographies with having a profound impact on his intellectual development. He specifically noted that after reading Plato, he began exploring a wide range of Greek literature, highlighting Plutarch's Greek and Roman Lives as a vital part of that reading journey. Together, these conversations underscore the enduring legacy of Plutarch's biographical works, demonstrating how ancient narratives continue to inform modern creative endeavors, shape intellectual curiosity, and provide timeless moral frameworks for thinkers and artists across successive generations.
Who recommended it
- Rick Rubin Discussed
- Sergey Nazarov Discussed
Rick Rubin — 1 mention
“Shakespeare is stealing from the writings of Plutarch, who existed roughly around the time of Marcus Aurelius. He quotes other fables and stuff, but you can tell that Shakespeare is stealing from ancient stories—just as like the Renaissance was powered by them falling back in love with the Greeks and the Romans.”
Sergey Nazarov — 1 mention
“um i think biographies have had a very large impact on me um you know plutarch's greek and roman lives after i read plato i started reading a bunch of stuff greek stuff”