The biographies are arranged in 23 pairs (plus four single lives), typically consisting of one Greek and one Roman. Most pairs conclude with a synkrisis , a formal comparison that synthesizes their lives to highlight similarities and differences in character.
48 extant (originally more, including lost lives like Epaminondas and Scipio). Plutarch PARALLEL LIVES OF NOBLE GRECIANS AND R...
23 pairs (e.g., Demosthenes/Cicero, Theseus/Romulus) and 4 single lives (e.g., Artaxerxes, Galba). 18 formal comparisons ( synkrisis ) follow the pairs. Historical Influence The biographies are arranged in 23 pairs (plus