Plutarch credits Demetrius for winning his own victories, whereas he notes that many of Antony's greatest triumphs were actually won by his generals in his absence.
A powerful Roman general whose life was defined by his relationship with Cleopatra. Plutarch portrays him as a man of great potential who squandered "the most costly outlay"—time—on luxury and diversion. The Point of Comparison: Synkrisis Plutarch's Lives, Volume IX: Demetrius and Anto...
Through these two lives, Plutarch illustrates the Platonic concept that "great natures produce great vices as well as virtues". A Study in Excess and Self-Destruction Plutarch credits Demetrius for winning his own victories,
The Tragedy of Great Natures: Exploring Plutarch’s Volume IX The Point of Comparison: Synkrisis Through these two
Plutarch’s Parallel Lives , specifically of the Loeb Classical Library edition , presents a fascinating departure from his typical biographical formula. While Plutarch generally highlights virtuous men to inspire imitation, the pairing of Demetrius Poliorcetes and Mark Antony serves as a stark "negative example".
Plutarch distinguishes their collapses: Demetrius was deserted by his soldiers, but Antony deserted his soldiers by fleeing during battle.