The Rise And Fall of AthensThe Rise And Fall of Athens by Plutarch traces the fortunes of Athens through nine lives from Theseus, its founder, to Lysander, its Spartan conqueror in this seminal work. What makes a leader? How does their character affect the fate of their people? Plutarch illustrates the rise and fall of Athens through nine lives, from the legendary days of Theseus, the city's founder, through Solon, Themistocles, Aristides, Cimon, Pericles, Nicias and