19 Beyond the Limits of Biography: A Comparative Analysis of Plutarch’s Lycurgus
In: Plutarch and his ContemporariesSearch for other papers by Iris Sulimani in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):
Abstract
The Life of Lycurgus seems prima facie like a typical Plutarchan biography. However, while the work retains its biographical structure, the bulk of it is devoted to the Spartan constitution. This study examines the structure and contents of the Life of Lycurgus, comparing it with Plutarch’s other biographies of both historical and mythical figures, as well as with Tacitus’ Agricola, its almost exact contemporary. It demonstrates that although Plutarch does not define Lycurgus as a mythical character, and although he makes clear that Theseus and Lycurgus belong to different periods of time, his working methods and the contents of the Lycurgus suggest otherwise. In writing the biography of the Spartan lawgiver, Plutarch faced problems similar to those encountered by the writers of myths, above all the scarcity of reliable information. It is possible, therefore, that he mingled the Lacedaemonian politeia in the biography of its “father,” aiming to add both substance and credibility to the bios of a figure deliberately presented by him as historical. Moreover, Tacitus, like Plutarch, amalgamates biography with other literary genres and makes extensive use of digressions in his Agricola. It appears that both authors employ these literary techniques to convey their concern with political issues of the age of Trajan. Whereas Tacitus’ historical narrative and geographical depiction of Britain serves the political agenda of the Agricola, Plutarch, by praising the Spartan public education and preferring it to the Roman educational system, not only shows his attitude towards Greek cultural heritage, but also contributes to the discussion of the nature of education that was alive in Rome in his day.