Statues in Plutarch's Lives

This article surveys where Plutarch mentions statues in the Lives and how they enrich his biographies. He alludes to statues in introductions, after death in conclusions, and in synkriseis. 1] They describe his subjects’ appearance. 2] They expressed community appreciation. 3] After some Hellenic and Roman honorands lost favor or were assassinated, their images suffered destruction. 4] Several communities compensated victims for ignominy by replacing their statues. 5] Several subjects erected statues as propaganda. 6] Several “heroes” address other men’s statues. 7] Statues or their absence counterpoint deaths and funerals. 8] Statues ironically embody excessive ambition. 9] Subsequent ancient receptions of material effigies contrast lives and later memory.