The Parallel Lives of Plutarch are cornerstones of Western literature & have exerted a profound influence on writers & statesmen since the Renaissance most notably Shakespeare This selection of ten biographies spans the period from the start of the fourth century BC to the early third & covers some of the most important figures in Greek history such as the orator Demosthenes & Alexander the Great as well as lesser known figures such as Plato&s pupil Dion of Syracuse Each Life is an important work of literature in itself but taken together they provide a vivid picture of the Greek world during a period that saw the collapse of Spartan power the rise of Macedonia the conquests of Alexander & the wars of his successors Timothy Duff&s revised version of Ian Scott-Kilvert&s translations is accompanied by a new general introduction & introductions & notes to each Life He has also added two Lives previously not included Artaxerxes I Great King of Persia from 405 to 359 BC & Eumenes of Cardia one of Alexander&s officers