These nine biographies illuminate the careers personalities & military campaigns of some of Romes greatest statesmen whose lives span the earliest days of the Republic to the establishment of the Empire. Selected from Plutarchs Roman Lives" they include prominent figures who achieved fame for their pivotal roles in Roman history such as soldierly Marcellus eloquent Cato & cautious Fabius. Here too are vivid portraits of ambitious hot-tempered Coriolanus; objective principled Brutus & open-hearted Mark Anthony who would later be brought to life by Shakespeare. In recounting the lives of these great leaders Plutarch also explores the problems of statecraft & power & illustrates the Roman peoples genius for political compromise which led to their mastery of the ancient world."