Document I SOURCE: Plutarch, a Greek biographer and author, strongly influenced the evolution of the essay, the biography, and historical writing in Europe. His many works recount the noble deeds and characters of Greek and Roman soldiers, legislators, orators, and statesmen and leaders. His writings have allowed historians to have a better understanding of Ancient Greek and Roman life. It is the life of Alexander the king.. that I am writing in this book, and the multitude of the deeds to be treated is so great that I shall make no other preface than to entreat my readers, in case I do not tell of all his famous actions, nor even speak exhaustively at all in each particular case, but in example for the most part, not to complain. For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most illustrious deeds there is not always a manifestation of virtue or vice, nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of character than battles where thousands fall, or the greatest armaments, or sieges of cities. Accordingly, just as painters get the likenesses in their portraits from the face and the expression of the eyes, wherein the character shows itself, but make very little account of the other parts of the body, so I must be permitted to devote myself rather to the signs of the soul in men, and by means of these to portray the life of each, leaving to others the description of their great ce t contests. Source: Plutarch, The Life of Alexander 1. Using document 2, explain Plutarch's purpose for writing about the life of Alexander the Great.
Document I SOURCE: Plutarch, a Greek biographer and author, strongly influenced the evolution of the essay, the biography, and historical writing in Europe. His many works recount the noble deeds and characters of Greek and Roman soldiers, legislators, orators, and statesmen and leaders. His writings have allowed historians to have a better understanding of Ancient Greek and Roman life. It is the life of Alexander the king.. that I am writing in this book, and the multitude of the deeds to be treated is so great that I shall make no other preface than to entreat my readers, in case I do not tell of all his famous actions, nor even speak exhaustively at all in each particular case, but in example for the most part, not to complain. For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most illustrious deeds there is not always a manifestation of virtue or vice, nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of character than battles where thousands fall, or the greatest armaments, or sieges of cities. Accordingly, just as painters get the likenesses in their portraits from the face and the expression of the eyes, wherein the character shows itself, but make very little account of the other parts of the body, so I must be permitted to devote myself rather to the signs of the soul in men, and by means of these to portray the life of each, leaving to others the description of their great ce t contests. Source: Plutarch, The Life of Alexander 1. Using document 2, explain Plutarch's purpose for writing about the life of Alexander the Great.
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Transcribed Image Text:Directions: Analyze the documents and answer the short-answer questions that follow each document in the
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Document 1
SOURCE: Plutarch, a Greek biographer and author, strongly influenced the evolution of the essay, the
biography, and historical writing in Europe. His many works recount the noble deeds and characters of
Greek and Roman soldiers, legislators, orators, and statesmen and leaders. His writings have allowed
historians to have a better understanding of Ancient Greek and Roman life.
It is the life of Alexander the king.. that I am writing in this book, and the multitude of the deeds to be
treated is so great that I shall make no other preface than to entreat my readers, in case I do not tell of all his
famous actions, nor even speak exhaustively at all in each particular case, but in example for the most part, not
to complain.
For it is not Histories that I am writing, but Lives; and in the most illustrious deeds there is not always a
manifestation of virtue or vice, nay, a slight thing like a phrase or a jest often makes a greater revelation of
character than battles where thousands fall, or the greatest armaments, or sieges of cities.
Accordingly, just as painters get the likenesses in their portraits from the face and the expression of the
eyes, wherein the character shows itself, but make very little account of the other parts of the body, so I must be
permitted to devote myself rather to the signs of the soul in men, and by means of these to portray the life of
each, leaving to others the description of their great contests.
Source: Plutarch, The Life of Alexander
1. Using document 2, explain Plutarch's purpose for writing about the life of Alexander the Great.
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