Product Description

A philosophy that saw self-possession as the key to an existence lived ‘in accordance with nature’, Stoicism called for the restraint of animal instincts and the severing of emotional ties. These beliefs were formulated by the Athenian followers of Zeno in the fourth century BC, but it was in Seneca (c. 4 BC– AD 65) that the Stoics found their most eloquent advocate. Stoicism, as expressed in the Letters, helped ease pagan Rome’s transition to Christianity, for it upholds upright ethical ideals and extols virtuous living, as well as expressing disgust for the harsh treatment of slaves and the inhumane slaughters witnessed in the Roman arenas. Seneca’s major contribution to a seemingly unsympathetic creed was to transform it into a powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8546 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-26
• Original language: Latin
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 254 pages

About the Author
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c.4BC - AD65) was born in Spain but was raised according to the traditional values of the republic of Rome. In AD48 he became tutor to the future emperor Nero and became his principal civil advisor when he took power. His death was eventually ordered by Nero in AD65, but Seneca anticipated the emperor's decree and committed suicide. Robin Campbell is a well-known translator.

Customer Reviews

CLASSIC VADEMECUM FROM AN OLD SAGE
A review by Luciano Lupini. This book is the fundamental vademecum for every day life. No person that I know has left this book suffer the dust and the quiet tranquillity that any other philosophy book enjoy in a library. This letters contain all the wisdom and the poise to enable any inquisitive soul to aquire selfcontrol, to endure with dignity the burdens of misfortune, to take success and fame with humbleness and cynicism, to prepare with serenity to die. Finally, to consider the end of life with the detachment of someone who has used well a precious object, without contracting the disease of jealousy.
This is a very easily readable book, and it was written by Seneca in the last four years of his life (62-65 A.D.). In my opinion is the masterpiece of his moral philosophy.
Seneca's literary style was criticized by his contemporaries for its fragmentary and non-classic hues, and it is truly very modern. Caligula defined it as "sand without lime". St. Augustine in his City of God, in a reference to his contradictions, criticized the fact that this man who almost achieved real freedom through philosophy, pursued what he criticized, did what he loathed and inculpated what he adored. AND WHAT DOES MODERN MAN DO? Maybe we must admit that Seneca lived a life full of contradictions, triumphs and failures but he never truly believed in the roles that he had to play and he was always ready to detach himself from material things, devoid of illusions but also of bitterness.

That is why his work has survived the ages and has been celebrated for his modernity. I would say that his teachings are atemporal, and this is the best tribute to him. Maybe this is why
his letters were the bedside book of Montaigne. And mine.

Seneca was one of the great philosophers.
I am privileged to be the first review of one of the true greats of philisophical inquiry.

Seneca lived during dangerous times and had to play a careful balancing act to even survive in the age when families of the Roman aristocracy were being decimated by various capricious Emperors.

He was also the main tutor to the young Emperor Nero . And though he initialy tried to avoid this erroneous task , he eventually did indeed end up trying to keep the reigns on the megalomaniac that was the young Nero.

Seneca's philosophy as espoused in this book is gentle yet firm .Above all , I feel he re-itterates the fact , that it is not good enough for a philosopher to talk about philosophy , he must live it as well.

Read this book and get some idea of the great man .

And then find out how his life ended.

It is humbling.

As relevant today, as it was in Roman times
Letters from a Stoic is classic text in the same way as Sun Tzu's the Art of War, the knowledge imparted is timeless. I would recommend this a must read for anyone finding their way in the world and looking for something to set their values by