Dialogues and Essays

In ancient Rome, Seneca the Younger rose to power as a politician and statesman during the middle of his life. Seneca was noted in his time for his oratorical skill in the Roman Senate, a skill which drew the ire of Emperor Caligula, who wished him dead. Later accused of adultery with Caligula’s sister, Seneca would find himself exiled during the rule Emperor Claudius in 41 AD. After several years of exile Seneca was finally welcomed back to Rome as Nero’s minister. A wealthy man in his lifetime, Seneca despised his own standing because of his personal philosophy. Regarded as one of the most important philosophical figures of the Roman Imperial period, Seneca will forever be remembered as one of the most important philosophers of the Stoic philosophical movement. Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes logic and reason, fairness and justness towards others, and a calming of passions regarding one’s desires and fears. In this collection of dialogues and essays we find an excellent introduction to Seneca’s philosophical views. Contained here are expositions on providence, wisdom, anger, consolation, living a happy contented life, clemency, and earthquakes. The dialogues and essays collected here follow the translations of Aubrey Stewart and John Clarke.