The Legacy of Plutarch: One of the Greatest Minds of Ancient Greece

Plutarch is a historical figure whose name is a fundamental part of the world’s shared history, standing as one of antiquity’s most revered biographers and philosophers. He was born around 46 AD in the small ancient Greek town of Chaeronea in Boetia, and no one ever suspected the enduring fame he would earn in his life. However, Plutarch’s influence grew to transcend time, with his works serving as a beacon of insight into the lives of notable figures of ancient Greece and Rome, offering timeless wisdom that continues to shape modern thought. What was the life story of this ancient Greek philosopher? And how has he contributed to our world?

Plutarch, Whose Name Resounds Through History

Plutarch’s early life was steeped in the rich cultural and intellectual milieu of ancient Greece. Raised in a family of wealth and prominence, he received a comprehensive education in philosophy, rhetoric and literature, studying under some of the most eminent scholars of his time. It was during his formative years that he developed a profound reverence for the teachings of Plato and Aristotle, whose philosophies would deeply inform his own intellectual pursuits.

His family was influential in the local town of Chaeronea, located just 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of famed Delphi. In many ways, his prominent family meant for him to succeed in life, as can be seen from his name: it is a compound of the Greek words πλοῦτος, meaning “wealth,” and ἀρχός, meaning “ruler” or “leader.”