Customer Reviews

Plutarch: Life of Antony (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an outstanding commentary on Plutarch's 'Life of Antony'. It includes an introduction of over 40 pages, the Greek text (no translation), and a very detailed commentary. The commentary offers grammatical and translation assistance where necessary (such as to correct common mistranslations) but is principally a historical commentary. This in my opinion is the primary value of the book.

The period between the formation of the Triumvirate (comprised of Antony, Octavian and Lepidus) in 43 BC and Octavian/Augustus' assumption of virtually undisputed power around 27 BC is a turgid, neglected period that is distinctly lacking in sources. One of our best sources just prior to that time had been Cicero, who famously perished during the first acts of the Triumvirate - the proscriptions. As such, Plutarch's 'Antony' provides invaluable information for the events up until Antony's suicide in 30 BC following his defeat by Octavian at Actium in 31 BC. Plutarch's account, however, can be chronologically inaccurate, prone to artistic embellishment in order to enhance the personal characteristics he wishes to emphasise, and can leave out key events altogether when they don't suit his narrative. This is where Pelling comes to the rescue. He sorts out the chronology, provides exhaustive cross references to the other ancient sources that cover the period (especially Appian, Dio and Josephus), and in the appropriate places mentions the events that Plutarch has 'overlooked' (and why he may have done so). As an aside, in the relevant portions of the commentary, he discusses how Shakespeare based his 'Antony and Cleopatra' almost completely on Plutarch's 'Antony'. It is really no more and no less than the sort of exceptional and incisive scholarship one routinely expects (and receives) from Christopher Pelling.

In short, if you either like Plutarch's 'Life of Antony' and want to know more (much, much more) about the whole history of the period, or you would like detailed historical and research assistance in unravelling the chronology and events of 43-27 BC then this is the book for you.