Plutarch · c. AD 46-after 119
Life of Philopoemen
ΦιλοποίμηνPlutarch's Life of Philopoemen follows the Achaean general of Megalopolis from his upbringing to his capture and death at Messene. It covers his reform of the Achaean army, his wars against the Spartan tyrants Machanidas and Nabis, his harsh settlement of Sparta and his resistance to growing Roman influence in Greece. It ends with the vengeance of the Achaeans, his funeral and the defence of his honours after the fall of Corinth.
Contents · 9 passages
- 1.1–4.6Philopoemen's boyhood, education and farm life at Megalopolis1335 words
- 5.1–7.7Philopoemen at Sellasia and in Crete; he reforms the Achaean cavalry1255 words
- 8.1–9.8Philopoemen arms the Achaeans with the long pike and heavy shield862 words
- 10.1–11.3Philopoemen defeats Machanidas at Mantineia and is cheered at the Nemean games759 words
- 12.1–13.6Philopoemen rescues Messene from Nabis, then serves in Crete842 words
- 14.1–15.6Philopoemen defeats Nabis and brings Sparta into the Achaean league1112 words
- 16.1–17.4Philopoemen's harsh settlement of Sparta and his stand against Rome874 words
- 18.1–19.5Philopoemen is captured by Deinocrates of Messene921 words
- 20.1–21.6The death of Philopoemen and the vengeance of the Achaeans700 words
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English translation by Bernadotte Perrin (1921). Original text: Bernadotte Perrin (ed. and trans.), Plutarch's Lives, vol. 10, Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, 1921 (Greek text as digitised by Perseus).
Greek text and translation from the Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Perseus Digital Library); translation public domain. Introductions, summaries and notes © GreekMythology.com.
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