Which works made Plutarch famous?

Plutarch is primarily remembered for two major bodies of work that have had a profound influence on Western literature and thought.12

Parallel Lives

Plutarch’s most famous work is the Parallel Lives, a collection of biographies featuring prominent Greek and Roman figures. These biographies were written in pairs—matching individuals by similarity of character or career—and were each followed by a formal comparison. Designed to provide moral patterns of behavior and encourage mutual respect between Greeks and Romans, these works have served as a significant source for historians and writers for centuries.123

Moralia

The Moralia, or Ethica, is a collection of more than 60 essays covering a wide range of topics, including ethics, religion, politics, and literature. These writings, often presented as dialogues or diatribes, explore complex philosophical questions and provide insight into the social and intellectual life of the period. Together with the Lives, these essays were instrumental in shaping the development of the essay and biography as literary genres in Europe.241