The biographic pair Aristides-Cato-the-Elder allows a comprehensive analysis of the meaning of
dike and other words with the same etymological root. Given the context in which these terms
are used, we propose to evaluate their sense in shaping the profile of both characters as members
of a community, and the ways in which Plutarch combines the individual level of analysis with
the need for society to identify and respect the principles related to the dike.