Abstract: The subject of this research is the reflection in Plutarch’s political treatises of the contemporary to him political practice. The author proves that Plutarch’s political thought was not just theoretical, aimed solely towards the past and deflected from modernity. The article examines the advices given by Plutarch to the Greek politicians along with the examples of contemporary political events cited in his political writings. Attention is given to Plutarch’s political activity with regards to his native city Chaeronea and province of Achaea, as well as Plutarch’s attitude to Rome. The article analyzes the five political treatises from the collection “Moralia”. The author applies the linguistic analysis in the original language and quantitative analysis for the treatise “How to Manage the Affairs of State”. The ideas of Plutarch correspond to his lifestyle and level of political activity. The author’s contribution lies in introduction of the materials that have not been published in the Russian language. In the course of this study, the author determines the classical and modern qualities of an ideal politician. The article describes Plutarch’s dual stance on the dependence of Greece from Rome, as well as how should the Greek politician conduct himself towards Roman power. It is revealed that the philosophers must play an active role in politics, in particular, positively influence the rulers, and develop their virtues. The research results are valuable for studying the ancient political thought, as well as relevant for the contemporary politicians, especially from in moral aspect.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the role of the cult of imperial house in ideology of the Roman Emperor Trajan (98-1170). The article reveals correlation between the image of Trajan’s family and the formation of the image of the emperor himself within the official ideology. The author examines the peculiarities of the cult of imperial house pertaining to such relatives of Trajan, as his adoptive father Nerva, biological father Trajan Senior, wife Plotina, sister Maricia, and niece Matidia. The author highlights two stages of development of the imperial house cult at the time of Trajan. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that this article is first in the Russian historiography to thoroughly explore the role of the imperial house cult in Trajan’s ideology. The immediate circle of the emperor had to correspond the image of the emperor himself. At the beginning of Trajan’s reign (98-105) we can observe moderation in favors, modesty, honor of his adoptive father Nerva, and respect for other family members. At the second stage (105-112), we can observe a significant amplification of the imperial house cult, which expressed in deification of Trajan’s the dead relatives and glorification of those alive. The author also notes the uniqueness of the situation, in which the Emperor Trajan simultaneously had two deified fathers, as well as reveals the essence of the conflict between honoring the biological father and the adoptive father.