Excerpt

Excerpt from Plutarch: Lives of the noble Grecians and Romans, by Plutarch

Thus was this war ended, and the whole power of the pirates at
sea dissolved everywhere in the space of three months, wherein,
besides a great number of other vessels, he took ninety
men-of-war with brazen beaks; and likewise prisoners of war to
the number of no less than twenty thousand.

As regarded the disposal of these prisoners, he never so much
as entertained the thought of putting them to death; and yet it
might be no less dangerous on the other hand to disperse them,
as they might reunite and make head again, being numerous,
poor, and warlike. Therefore wisely weighing with himself,
that man by nature is not a wild or unsocial creature, neither
was he born so, but makes himself what he naturally is not, by
vicious habit; and that again on the other side, he is
civilized and grows gentle by a change of place, occupation,
and manner of life, as beasts themselves that are wild by
nature, become tame and tractable by housing and gentler usage,
upon this consideration he determined to translate these
pirates from sea to land, and give them a taste of an honest
and innocent course of life, by living in towns, and tilling
the ground. Some therefore were admitted into the small and
half-peopled towns of the Cilicians, who for an enlargement of
their territories, were willing to receive them. Others he
planted in the city of the Solians, which had been lately laid
waste by Tigranes, king of Armenia, and which he now restored.
But the largest number were settled in Dyme, the town of
Achaea, at that time extremely depopulated, and possessing an
abundance of good land.

However, these proceedings could not escape the envy and
censure of his enemies; and the course he took against Metellus
in Crete was disapproved of even by the chiefest of his
friends. For Metellus, a relation of Pompey's former colleague
in Spain, had been sent praetor into Crete, before this
province of the seas was assigned to Pompey. Now Crete was the
second source of pirates next to Cilicia, and Metellus having
shut up a number of them in their strong-holds there, was
engaged in reducing and extirpating them. Those that were yet
remaining and besieged sent their supplications to Pompey, and
invited him into the island as a part of his province, alleging
it to fall, every part of it, within the distance from the sea
specified in his commission, and so within the precincts of his
charge. Pompey receiving the submission, sent letters to
Metellus, commanding him to leave off the war; and others in
like manner to the cities, in which he charged them not to
yield any obedience to the commands of Metellus. And after
these, he sent Lucius Octavius, one of his lieutenants, to act
as general, who entering the besieged fortifications, and
fighting in defense of the pirates, rendered Pompey not odious
only, but even ridiculous too; that he should lend his name as
a guard to a nest of thieves, that knew neither god nor law,
and make his reputation serve as a sanctuary to them, only out
of pure envy and emulation to Metellus. For neither was
Achilles thought to act the part of a man, but rather of a mere
boy, mad after glory, when by signs he forbade the rest of the
Greeks to strike at Hector: --

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Explanation

Detailed Explanation of Plutarch’s Excerpt from Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans

This passage is from Plutarch’s Life of Pompey, part of his Parallel Lives, a series of biographies comparing famous Greek and Roman figures. The excerpt describes Pompey the Great’s (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, 106–48 BCE) campaign against the Cilician pirates (c. 67 BCE), a major threat to Roman trade and security. Plutarch, a 1st–2nd century CE Greek biographer and philosopher, blends historical narrative with moral and philosophical reflection, often emphasizing leadership, virtue, and human nature.

Below is a breakdown of the text, focusing on its content, themes, literary devices, and significance, with an emphasis on close reading.

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1. Context of the Passage

Historical Background:

• By the late Roman Republic (1st century BCE), piracy—especially from Cilicia (modern southern Turkey)—had crippled Mediterranean trade. Pirates raided ships, kidnapped nobles (including a young Julius Caesar), and even sacked coastal cities.
• The Roman Senate, desperate for a solution, granted Pompey extraordinary powers (imperium) in 67 BCE via the Lex Gabinia, allowing him to command a massive fleet and armies to eradicate piracy within three years.
• Pompey succeeded in just three months, a feat that enhanced his reputation but also stirred political rivalry (e.g., with Metellus in Crete).

Plutarch’s Purpose:

• Plutarch writes biography as moral instruction, using Pompey’s actions to explore:
  • Effective leadership (mercy vs. harshness)
  • Human nature (can people change?)
  • Political jealousy (Pompey’s conflicts with rivals)
• He contrasts Pompey’s clemency with the brutality of other Roman generals (e.g., Crassus, Sulla).

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2. Line-by-Line Analysis & Key Themes

A. Pompey’s Military Success (First Paragraph)

"Thus was this war ended, and the whole power of the pirates at sea dissolved everywhere in the space of three months, wherein, besides a great number of other vessels, he took ninety men-of-war with brazen beaks; and likewise prisoners of war to the number of no less than twenty thousand."

• Pompey’s efficiency: The speed ("three months") and scale ("ninety men-of-war," "twenty thousand prisoners") highlight his military genius and administrative skill.
• "Brazen beaks": Refers to the ram-prowed ships used by pirates (and navies) to sink enemy vessels. The detail adds vividness (a literary device called hypotyposis—painting a scene in the reader’s mind).
• Significance: Rome’s rapid victory restored trade and security, cementing Pompey’s fame. But the real challenge was what to do with 20,000 defeated pirates.

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B. The Dilemma of the Pirates (Second Paragraph)

"As regarded the disposal of these prisoners, he never so much as entertained the thought of putting them to death; and yet it might be no less dangerous on the other hand to disperse them, as they might reunite and make head again, being numerous, poor, and warlike."

• Pompey’s mercy vs. pragmatism:
  • Option 1: Execution – Common Roman practice (e.g., Crassus crucified 6,000 slaves after Spartacus’ revolt). Pompey rejects this as inhumane.
  • Option 2: Release – Risky, as they could re-form as pirates ("numerous, poor, and warlike").
• Plutarch’s moral framing: Pompey is humane but strategic, avoiding both cruelty and naivety.

"Therefore wisely weighing with himself, that man by nature is not a wild or unsocial creature, neither was he born so, but makes himself what he naturally is not, by vicious habit; and that again on the other side, he is civilized and grows gentle by a change of place, occupation, and manner of life..."

• Philosophical interjection: Plutarch (influenced by Stoicism and Plato) inserts a digressive reflection on human nature.
  • Key idea: People are not inherently evil but corrupted by environment ("vicious habit").
  • Analogy to animals: Just as wild beasts can be tamed ("housing and gentler usage"), so can humans be reformed through new circumstances.
• Literary device: Extended metaphor (pirates as wild beasts) and antithesis (contrasting "wild/unsocial" with "civilized/gentle").
• Significance: This reflects Plutarch’s moral optimism—people can change if given the right conditions. It also justifies Pompey’s policy as both compassionate and pragmatic.

"...upon this consideration he determined to translate these pirates from sea to land, and give them a taste of an honest and innocent course of life, by living in towns, and tilling the ground."

• "Translate": Literally relocate, but also transform (from pirates to farmers).
• "Honest and innocent course of life": Agrarian ideal—Roman morality often linked farming with virtue (e.g., Cincinnatus), while piracy was seen as lawless and degenerate.
• Practical solution:
  • Dyme (Achaea), Soli (Cilicia), and other towns were underpopulated and needed labor.
  • By settling pirates as farmers, Pompey eliminates the threat while strengthening provincial economies.

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C. Political Backlash (Third Paragraph)

"However, these proceedings could not escape the envy and censure of his enemies; and the course he took against Metellus in Crete was disapproved of even by the chiefest of his friends."

• Theme of jealousy: Pompey’s success breeds resentment ("envy and censure"), a recurring motif in Plutarch’s Lives (e.g., Caesar’s rivals, Alexander’s generals).
• Metellus’ role:
  • Quintus Caecilius Metellus (a praetor, or military governor) was already fighting pirates in Crete when Pompey was given his command.
  • Pompey’s intervention was seen as overreach—Crete was not explicitly in his jurisdiction, but he argued it fell within his maritime authority.

"For Metellus... had been sent praetor into Crete, before this province of the seas was assigned to Pompey. Now Crete was the second source of pirates next to Cilicia, and Metellus having shut up a number of them in their strong-holds there, was engaged in reducing and extirpating them."

• "Extirpating them": Harsh language—Metellus was exterminating pirates, unlike Pompey’s rehabilitation approach.
• Plutarch’s implicit contrast: Pompey’s mercy vs. Metellus’ brutality.

"Those that were yet remaining and besieged sent their supplications to Pompey, and invited him into the island as a part of his province, alleging it to fall, every part of it, within the distance from the sea specified in his commission, and so within the precincts of his charge."

• Legal maneuvering: The pirates exploit a loophole—Pompey’s command extended 50 miles inland from any coast. Crete, an island, was entirely within his jurisdiction.
• Plutarch’s tone: Slightly ironic—the pirates, usually lawless, now appeal to Roman legalism to save themselves.

"Pompey receiving the submission, sent letters to Metellus, commanding him to leave off the war; and others in like manner to the cities, in which he charged them not to yield any obedience to the commands of Metellus."

• Pompey’s authority: He overrides Metellus, asserting his superior command.
• Political implications: This humiliates Metellus, a noble Roman, and makes Pompey appear arrogant.

"And after these, he sent Lucius Octavius, one of his lieutenants, to act as general, who entering the besieged fortifications, and fighting in defense of the pirates, rendered Pompey not odious only, but even ridiculous too..."

• "Odious... ridiculous": Strong criticism—Pompey is now protecting pirates, making him look:
  • "Odious": Hated for siding with criminals.
  • "Ridiculous": Absurd, as if he’s defending thieves like a mock-heroic figure.
• Literary device: Hyperbole (exaggeration) to emphasize the scandal of Pompey’s actions.

"...that he should lend his name as a guard to a nest of thieves, that knew neither god nor law, and make his reputation serve as a sanctuary to them, only out of pure envy and emulation to Metellus."

• "Nest of thieves": Dehumanizing metaphor—pirates as vermin, reinforcing their moral depravity.
• "Knew neither god nor law": Religious and legal condemnation—they are outside civilization.
• Motive questioned: Plutarch suggests Pompey acted not out of justice, but petty rivalry ("envy and emulation").

"For neither was Achilles thought to act the part of a man, but rather of a mere boy, mad after glory, when by signs he forbade the rest of the Greeks to strike at Hector."

• Mythological analogy: Comparing Pompey to Achilles (from Homer’s Iliad), who prevented others from killing Hector so he could claim the glory.
• Implication: Pompey, like Achilles, is driven by vanity ("mad after glory") rather than true leadership.
• Literary device: Allusion (referencing Homer) to criticize Pompey’s motives.

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3. Key Themes in the Excerpt

1. Leadership & Clemency vs. Severity

   • Pompey’s mercy (settling pirates) vs. Metellus’ harshness (exterminating them).
   • Plutarch’s view: True leadership balances compassion and firmness, but envy can corrupt judgment.

2. Human Nature & Reform

   • Are people inherently good or corruptible?
   • Plutarch (via Pompey) argues environment shapes behavior—pirates can become farmers if given the chance.
   • Stoic influence: Humans are rational and can improve with proper guidance.

3. Political Jealousy & Rivalry

   • Pompey’s success breeds resentment (a recurring theme in Roman history).
   • His conflict with Metellus shows how personal ambition can undermine public good.

4. Law vs. Morality

   • The pirates exploit legal technicalities to survive, while Pompey bends jurisdiction to assert power.
   • Question: Is Pompey just or overreaching?

5. Reputation & Public Perception

   • Pompey’s reputation suffers—he goes from hero to ridiculous in the eyes of critics.
   • Lesson: Even good deeds can be misinterpreted when motives are questioned.

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4. Literary Devices Used

Device	Example	Effect
Antithesis	"not a wild or unsocial creature... but makes himself what he naturally is not"	Highlights the contradiction between innate nature and learned behavior.
Extended Metaphor	Pirates as wild beasts that can be tamed	Reinforces the idea of reform through environment.
Hyperbole	"not odious only, but even ridiculous"	Emphasizes the extreme disapproval of Pompey’s actions.
Allusion	Comparison to Achilles	Criticizes Pompey’s motives by linking him to a flawed hero.
Irony	Pirates appealing to Roman law to save themselves	Highlights the absurdity of the situation.
Hypotyposis	"ninety men-of-war with brazen beaks"	Creates a vivid mental image of Pompey’s victory.

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5. Significance of the Passage

Historical Significance:

• Pompey’s anti-piracy campaign was a turning point in Roman dominance of the Mediterranean.
• His settlement policy was innovative—instead of mass executions, he reintegrated former enemies, a rare approach in ancient warfare.
• The conflict with Metellus foreshadows Pompey’s later political struggles (e.g., with Caesar in the Civil War).

Literary & Philosophical Significance:

• Plutarch’s moral biography: The passage explores leadership ethics—when is mercy wise, and when is it weakness?
• Human nature debate: The text engages with Stoic and Platonic ideas about whether people can change.
• Political criticism: Plutarch subtly questions Pompey’s motives, suggesting envy may have driven his actions in Crete.

Relevance Today:

• Rehabilitation vs. Punishment: The debate over how to treat criminals (reform vs. retribution) remains relevant.
• Leadership & Ego: The dangers of personal rivalry in politics (e.g., modern partisan conflicts).
• Perception vs. Reality: How public opinion can distort even well-intentioned actions.

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6. Conclusion: Plutarch’s Portrayal of Pompey

Plutarch presents Pompey as a brilliant but flawed leader:

• Strengths: Strategic genius, compassionate, innovative in dealing with pirates.
• Weaknesses: Susceptible to envy, overly concerned with reputation, sometimes petty (e.g., undermining Metellus).

The excerpt blends admiration with critique, typical of Plutarch’s nuanced biographies. While Pompey’s piracy campaign was a triumph, his handling of Metellus reveals his political vulnerabilities—a theme that foreshadows his eventual downfall in the Civil War against Caesar.

Ultimately, the passage challenges the reader to consider:

• Can people truly change? (The pirates’ reform)
• When does ambition become selfishness? (Pompey vs. Metellus)
• How should power be wielded—with mercy or severity?

Plutarch leaves these questions open, inviting moral reflection—the hallmark of his biographical philosophy.