The Art of Biography in Antiquity

This comprehensive examination of Greek and Roman biography offers readers a panoramic view of how ancient writers crafted life stories, focusing particularly on how they portrayed the moral character of philosophers, statesmen, and poets. Hägg guides readers through the evolution of biographical writing across centuries, revealing how these early forms shaped our modern understanding of life writing and historical documentation. The book provides a thorough exploration of how virtues and vices became central narrative devices in ancient biographical traditions, making complex literary history accessible to contemporary readers.

What distinguishes this work is its ability to connect ancient biographical techniques to modern expectations of life writing, showing how contemporary biography still bears the imprint of classical models. Readers interested in classical studies, literary history, or the development of nonfiction genres will find particularly valuable insights into how character assessment became foundational to life storytelling. Hägg's analysis ultimately demonstrates how these ancient narratives continue to influence how we understand and write about human lives today, making this an essential read for anyone curious about the origins of biographical tradition.