gives an account of Caesar; having written of Demosthenes, he gives an account of Cicero. In every instance he adds to his pair of lives a chapter of comparisons and contrasts. The parallel method enhances the vividness of the portraiture, but it is Hot the. feature of his work which gives it its permanent influence. His individual themes, and his detached treatment of them, deserve chief scrutiny.
Plutarch’s subjects are all leaders in politics or war. Heroes of literature and art lie outside his sphere. From the modem point of view the range is arbitrarily limited. But his limitation of theme does not prejudice the value of his example. His guiding principles of treatment are of universal application. He collects authorities in ample store. His materials included not only written books and documents, but also, experience and knowledge gathered in converse with well-informed persons. He, bases his narrative on contemporary evidence wherever it is accessible, but he is watchful of the lies
