Roman Biography

Horace was one of the greatest poets during the reign of Augustus and is seen as mark of cultural sophistication since this time. This Very Short Introduction examines how Horace's poetry has exerted enormous influence but argues that it is best understood within the traditions of ancient literature.

Fils d'une famille de l'aristocratie athénienne, Platon semblait être destiné à occuper des responsabilités politiques de tout premier ordre. Mais sa rencontre avec Socrate bouleverse ces plans. À la mort du maître, il se consacre, via l'écriture et l'Académie qu'il fonde en 387, à la transmission de la pensée novatrice de Socrate.

Socrate est un philosophe de la Grèce antique (-470 à -399), considéré comme l'un des inventeurs de la philosophie morale et politique. Il n'a cependant laissé aucune œuvre écrite ; sa philosophie s'est transmise par l'intermédiaire de témoignages indirects (en particulier par les écrits de ses disciples Platon et Xénophon).

Lauréat du Dayton Literary Peace Prize, un court roman stupéfiant d'intensité, un texte riche, souvent dérangeant, sur un passé qui n'en finit pas de résonner. Je n'ai pas été un nazi. Ce que je veux te raconter ne concerne ni des atrocités, ni un génocide. Je n'ai pas vu les camps de la mort et je ne suis pas qualifié pour en dire un seul mot. J'ai lu le livre de Primo Levi sur ce sujet, comme tout le monde. Sauf qu'en le lisant, "nous, les Allemands", nous sommes obligés de penser : Nous avons commis cela.

Dive into the unique and powerful kingships in Sparta, where not one man ruled, but two. Learn the ways and lives of the men who rose above the rest to be elected leader of the most feared and respected city-state of ancient Greece. Who managed to embody the fullness of Spartan values, and who fell to the side, enticed by the finer things kingship could bring?

Here we find a history of a historian, the great Roman statesman Cato who was one of the few who resisted the Hellenization brought about by Alexander the Great. A man of many talents, he soon garnered the title of "Cato the Wise" and carried out every job from treasurer to military leader. Witness his valiant fight for Roman culture and customs in the face of enroaching outside influence.

Hannibal, called by Nepos "the greatest of generals", is most remembered today for being the man who marched a contigent of battle elephants over the Alps. But this was only one of his many victories and strategems. Listen in wonder as Hannibal manages, again and again, to repel the army no other man could repel: the ancient Romans.

Conon the Athenian (not the Barbarian of a similar name) was the general who set Greece free. March along the shores of the Peloponese and launch attacks at sea with him as Nepos regales the life of this famed hero. Here is the man who would see the great walls of Athens rebuilt but find his own life finished in prison.

How could a man be reviled, even assassinated, during his own life, and yet have people's opinion of him change after his death? Explore the life of Dion, a wealthy Syracusian aristocrat of great learning whose life brutally ended on a feast-day. How could a man of acclaimed courteous temperment be accused of such horrible crimes?

Hamilcar was a Carthaginian so brilliant and so brutal that even a Roman like Cornelius Nepos - one of Carthage's sworn enemies - could not help but respect him and write of him. Hamilcar, much like Philip the Great, was a great father of an even greater son. Explore Spain and Carthage with him and Hannibal as he trains his son in the arts and wiles of war.

The biography of Titus Pomponius Atticus was one of Nepos' greatest writings during his life. Considered by many to be one of the most upstanding men in ancient history, and the friend of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, he lived during one of the most turbulent and important periods of ancient Rome. Learn how a politican could actually manage to maintain honor and fulfill his duty without being swayed or tempted by personal interest and gain.

Nepos explores the life of Chabrias, a man as mercenary as he was brave. He would develop new methods of fighting that caused enemies to flee before him and be brought on by foreign kings to fight their wars. Eventually, he would lose his life as he lived it, choosing to die rather than flee in battle.

Iphicrates was one of the first truly respect military tacticians in the ancient world. His skillful planning for battle was respected even by enemies, and he is one of the few Greek generals who managed to live a good life. Brought not too high or low by fate or fortune, his life is an interesting dive into how skill and dedication can pay off in any time.

Athens was in the throes of tyranny as a troop of murderous madmen stalked the streets. Who would break the city free from the horrid results of war? Listen as Thrasybulus puts everything on the line to save the city he loves.

Epaminondas was known better for his way with words than his way with a sword. He used his wits on the battlefield to lead armies and took the honor of himself and his men most seriously. Nepos here admires the Theban orator who could out-speak any Athenian.

Timotheus was a great general but was known more for his statecraft. Like an honorable man taken from an ancient version of Game of Thrones, see how he maneuvers through the courts of ancient Greece. Finally, in his old age, politics catch up to him, but his son works to carry on his honor.

Walk in the steps of King Aegesilus, leader of Sparta and conquerer of Corinth. Cornelius Nepos recounts the life of a man who was loyal when it suited him and merciful when the mood struck him. He was one of the greatest kings Sparta ever had, yet he almost lost the title to another.

Though Nepos largely focused on the Greco-Romans in his writings, some men accomplished so much he was willing to break this rule. Datames was a commander of armies, man of the kings of Persia and Egypt, and outwitter of plots. Follow his intricate and exciting life as he attempts to outpace the powerful men around him.

Eumenes lived in the shadows of conquerers - Philip and Alexander the Great - until he rose up to claim his own title. He was one of the many who grappled for power in the wake of Alexander's sudden death. Dive into his life and the machinations behind the thrones of ancient Greece and Egypt. Will Eumenes be victorious, claiming a crown of his own, or will he fall prey to the wiles of others?

Pausanias is one of the most interestingly complicated figures in Greek history. A Spartan hero, he was also a Spartan villain; even his own contemporaries did not know what to make of him. Explore his life with Cornelius Nepos and come to your own conclusion - was Pausanias great or terrible?