The Jewels of the Mind: Plutarch as a Teacher in Coniugalia praecepta 145A–146A

The preface of Plutarch’s Coniugalia praecepta (138A–D) and the literary format of the following pieces of advice (138D–145A) would have reminded the ancient reader of the contemporary literary-educational practice and of the progymnasmata specifically. This allusion impacts the interpretation of the extensive conclusion at the end of the work (145A–146A): the different structure of this concluding section represents the final stage of the educational process of the early Imperial “school system.” The proposed reading reflects Plutarch’s views on the ideal marriage as a union between two educated people (πεπαιδευμένοι) as a respected part of society.