- What is the difference between the liberty of the ancients and the liberty of the moderns? What would moderns find lacking in ancient liberty?
The liberty of the ancients includes collective political power exercised through direct participation in public decision-making. Citizens expressed freedom through assemblies, voting, and shared sovereignty, believing liberty meant being an active member of the community. Modern liberty focuses on individual rights, such as freedom of expression, religion, property, and personal independence. It emphasizes private pursuits, personal autonomy, and protection from government intrusion, relying on representative government rather than direct political participation. Modern people would find ancient liberty lacking because it offers little personal freedom or privacy and demands heavy involvement in public life.
- Plutarch tells about an important episode in Alexander’s life. What characteristics is it intended to show?
Plutarch’s Life of Alexander includes the famous episode of Alexander taming Bucephalus. When the wild horse refused all riders, Alexander realized it feared its own shadow. He turned the horse toward the sun, calmed it, and mounted it successfully. Philip II told him that Macedonia was too small for someone of his greatness. The episode is meant to show Alexander’s intelligence, perception, confidence, courage, and natural authority. It also highlights his emotional control, as he mastered Bucephalus through understanding rather than force. Plutarch uses this story to foreshadow Alexander’s future leadership, ambition, and military brilliance.
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