Plutarch: Roman Lives – Nicholas Farrell

Roman Lives
Plutarch – The Roman Lives Introduction
Plutarch begins his sequence of Roman Lives
Coriolanus
It may be observed in general
The Romans were now at war with the Volscian nation
The day after, when Marcius, with the rest of the army
Not long after he stood for consulship
He came, therefore, as it were, to make his apology
Marcius alone, himself, was neither stunned nor humiliated
The Romans themselves soon furnished Marcius and Tullus
When Marcius heard of this
Having spoken thus, she took Vergilia by the hand
The next morning he broke up his camp
Pompey the Great
Thus Cinna being slane
About this time news came to Sulla
When Pompey returned back to the city of Utica
In the meantime Sertorius died
The power of the pirates first commenced in Cilicia
When the news came to Rome
Pompey in the meantime made an invasion into Armenia
Pompey having now by his forces under the command of Afranius
The splendour and magnificence of Pompey’s triumph
About that time Caesar, returning from military service
Meantime Caesar grew great and famous
On his return into the city Pompey married Cornelia
Caesar, on the other side, was more and more vigorous
But Pompey, arriving at Brundusium
With this determination, Pompey marched forwards
Caesar’s army consisted of twenty-two thousand
Pompey, sailing by the city of Amphipolis
As soon, therefore, as it was resolved upon
These were the last words he spoke to his friends
Caesar
In the meantime Sulla’s power being now on the decline
At this time, Meteullus, the High-Priest died
There is a law among the Romans
He was so much master of the goodwill and hearty service of his soldiers
After this action, Caesar left his army at thier winter quarters
In the passage of his army over it, he met with no opposition
Caesar had long ago resolved upon the overthrow of Pompey
Afterwards there came letters from Caesar
Caesar took into his army all those whom he found in any town
When the two armies were come into Pharsalia
Pompey fled to Egypt, pursued by Caesar
Thence he passed to Asia
Nevertheless his countrymen
This made the multitude turn their thoughts to Marcus Brutus
The place which was destined for the scene of this murder
Cicero
But after he had received the news of Sulla’s death
He had a very pleasant seat at Arpi
Cicero, endeavouring in the first place to provide a remedy
After Cicero had received this power
Whilst Cicero was doubting what course to take
At this time, therefore, Cicero’s authority was very great
Cicero was at this time his friend
Clodius, having thus driven away Cicero
But as soon as Caesar was marched into Spain
He had no concern in the design that was now forming against Caesar
Whilst these things were contriving
Marcus Brutus
After the great overthrow at Pharsalia
When Cassius went about soliciting friends
But a meeting of the senate being appointed
Now when the senate was gone in before to the chamber
But the next day, the senate being assembled in the temple of the Earth
Brutus took ship from hence, and sailed to Athens
Having made his army, that was very considerable
About the time that they were going to pass out of Asia
Brutus that night at supper showed himself very cheerful
Cassius had been forced to fly with a few about him
Neither were the affairs of Caesar and Antony
Mark Antony
He also had a very good and noble appearance
There was not one of the many engagements that now took place
These passages gave great encouragement to Brutus and Cassius
Cicero was at this time the man of the greatest influence in Rome
This triumvirate was very hateful to the Romans
Such being his temper, the last and crowning mischief that could befall him
Plato admits four sorts of flattery
Antony, once more, upon some unfavourable stories
The war was now become grievous to both parties
But, on the fifth day, Flavius Gallus
Antony ran from one place to another
Cleopatra, feeling her rival already
The speed and extent of Antony’s preparations alarmed Caesar
Antony, seeing the enemy sailing up
When they engaged, there was no charing or striking of one ship
At the same, they sent ambassadors to Caesar
When he understood she was alive
Some few days after, Caesar himself came to make her a visit

Nicholas Farrell, Steve Hodson

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