Parallel Lives
The Parallel Lives are a series of biographies written by Plutarch.
During the early 16th century, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze bought a copy of this book from a book shop in Constantinople.[1]
During the French Revolution, French Assassin Arno Dorian found a copy of the book in the hotel room of Charlotte Corday while he investigated the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat.[2]
Summary
Plutarch's famous examination of human character and virtue is a collection of biographies of famous men (only men, sadly) arranged in parallel groups: each Greek biography is paired with a more contemporary Roman equivalent. Less a historical treatment of its subjects, "Parallel Lives" is an investigation of the influence of character on human destiny.[1]
Gallery
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A copy of Parallel Lives in the 16th century