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Which Roman emperors may Plutarch have known?
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Plutarch
Greek biographer and author Plutarch, c. 100 ce.
Plutarch, the Greek biographer and philosopher, likely enjoyed the acquaintance of the Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian during his visits to Rome.1
Historical records regarding these relationships vary in reliability:
* Trajan: The Suda, a 10th-century lexicon, suggests that Trajan bestowed the honor of ornamenta consularia upon Plutarch. Additionally, Plutarch may have gained Trajan's support for the oracle at Delphi, where Plutarch served as a priest.1
* Hadrian: While it is possible that Plutarch knew Hadrian, a claim by the 4th-century historian Eusebius that Hadrian appointed Plutarch as governor of Greece is considered likely to be apocryphal.1