Seneca the Younger Biography
| Born as | Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger |
| Known as | Seneca |
| Occup. | Statesman |
| From | Rome |
| Born | 5 BC
Córdoba, Hispania Baetica (now Spain) |
| Died | 65 AC
Rome |
Early Life
Lucius Annaeus
Seneca, also called
Seneca the Younger, was born in Corduba (now Cordoba, Spain) around 4 BC, although some sources claim he was born in Rome. His father,
Seneca the Elder, was a popular orator and teacher of rhetoric, while his mother, Helvia, was from a popular and wealthy household.
Seneca had 2 brothers, Lucius Annaeus Novatus (later embraced by the Roman politician Marcus
Junius Gallio) and Annaeus Mela. They were all sent to Rome for their education, where
Seneca the Younger studied rhetoric, approach, and law under different teachers, notably Sextii, the founder of a popular philosophical school.
Philosophical and Literary Career
Seneca became attracted to the philosophy of Stoicism, which highlighted the value of self-control, factor, and discipline for keeping a virtuous life. While in his twenties,
Seneca began a successful career as a statesman, orator, and author. He also became a senator and taken part in political disputes at the Roman Senate.
Seneca wrote numerous letters, essays, and disasters. Many of his works such as "De Vita Beata" and "Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium" discuss a large range of philosophical issues, including ethics, ethical values, and the significance of life. Some of his well-known significant works consist of the tragedies "Hercules Furens", "Thyestes", and "Phaedra", which were understood for their ethical undertones and strong feelings.
Exile and Return
In AD 41,
Seneca ended up being involved in a political scandal and was implicated of adultery with the emperor's sis, Julia Livilla. Though the charges were likely false, Emperor Caligula exiled
Seneca to the island of Corsica. Throughout his exile,
Seneca continued to compose on viewpoint and corresponded of consolation to his household, who had actually remained in Rome.
In AD 49,
Seneca was remembered to Rome by the brand-new emperor,
Claudius, and his spouse, Empress Agrippina the Younger. It is extensively believed that it was the empress who pushed for
Seneca's return so that he may tutor her kid, the young Nero. As an outcome,
Seneca got the title of praetor and resumed his position as an essential statesman in Rome.
Tutoring Nero and Political Involvement
As Nero's tutor,
Seneca tried to instill in him the concepts of Stoicism, which he hoped would assist Nero's guideline. Regrettably, Nero ended up being significantly unsteady and promiscuous as he aged.
Seneca took on a significantly political role in this time, functioning as Nero's advisor, writing speeches, and trying to keep Nero's habits in check. He played a crucial function in preserving relations with the provinces, handling finances, and producing laws. Nevertheless, his influential position likewise made him a target for court intrigue and criticism.
Retirement and Final Years
In AD 62,
Seneca chose to retire from public life, specifying that he wished to commit himself to philosophy. This decision most likely came from his growing disillusionment with Nero's despotic guideline. He retired to a vacation home outside Rome, where he focused on his writing and continued to correspond with his friends about philosophical topics.
His retirement was short-lived, as
Seneca was linked in the Pisonian conspiracy versus Nero in AD 65. Although it stays unsure whether
Seneca was really involved in the plot, Nero ordered him to commit suicide.
Seneca calmly accepted his fate and fulfilled his death with stoic dignity, in a scene that has been commemorated in numerous artistic works. His partner, Pompeia Paulina, tried to dedicate suicide together with him, but she was conserved by Nero's command.
Tradition
Seneca the Younger's contributions to viewpoint, drama, and statesmanship have left a long lasting impact on Western idea and culture. His works continued to be commonly read and studied in the centuries following his death, and his ideas influenced numerous thinkers, consisting of Renaissance humanists such as Erasmus and Montaigne. Today,
Seneca is thought about among the terrific Roman Stoic theorists and his works continue to be studied and valued for their exploration of human nature, ethics, and the mission for a meaningful life.
Our collection contains 126 quotes who is written / told by Seneca, under the main topics:
Art -
Death -
Health -
Anger -
Men.
Related authors: Publilius Syrus (Poet), Seneca (Philosopher), Menander (Poet), Philo (Philosopher), Claudius (Leader), Michel de Montaigne (Philosopher), Marcus Valerius Martial (Poet), John Hines (Clergyman), Alain de Botton (Writer), Junius
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