The Philosopher-King and the City in Plutarch's Life of Numa

Abstract

Plutarch characterizes the reign of Numa Pompilius, Romulus’ successor, as a manifest illustration of Plato's philosopher-king. Numa, who reluctantly leaves his private life of quiet contemplation to assume the kingship of Rome, fits within Plutarch's general view that the philosopher has an obligation to participate in political life. Such participation, however, may not be without complication. The Rome Numa inherits is described by Plutarch, again pointing toward the Republic, as a “feverish city.” Numa's reform of “feverish” Rome begins and ends with the controversial relationship he may have had with the philosopher Pythagoras. The central role that Numa's relationship with Pythagoras plays in the Life of Numa reveals that Plutarch uses the Life as a commentary on the relationship between philosophy and the city.