Honorable Death

Each of the "Lives" of Plutarch describes the manner in which the subject died, and the way he faced his death Plutarch finds a clue to the true character of each man. Dying in battle while fighting for a just cause is certainly a noble way to die, but this is not the fate of most of Plutarch's subjects. Intrigue, jealousy, murder and conspiracy all come to the surface among the highest levels of power in Plutarch's "Lives," and violent deaths seem to form the life of all great leaders. Sertorius, Pompey, Caesar, Tiberius, Caius Gracchus, Cicero, Dion, and Aratus were all murdered, and Alexander possibly poisoned to death. Phocion, Agis and Artaxerxes were executed. Cato, Cleomenes, Demosthenes, Antony, Brutus ,and Otho all committed suicide. Galba died in battle, Demetrius and Eumenes in captivity. Among Plutarch's subjects, only Agesilaus died a natural death, although he was far...