😉 Welcome new and regular readers! In the article “Seneca: Biography of the Great Philosopher” – the story of the life of the Roman philosopher, poet and statesman.
Lucius Anney Seneca is a famous philosopher of the times of antiquity. He is a talented writer, orator, author of popular sayings and aphorisms.
Lucius Annieus Seneca
The future philosopher was born in Spain, in Corduba in the 4th century BC. His name was given in honor of his father with one distinction – senior and junior. Even as a child, he was brought to Rome. At first, his father was engaged in training and upbringing. Later, Seneca was given to study the Pythagorean Sotion and the Stoics: Sextius, Papinius and Attale.
From a very young age, the boy could observe a passion for philosophy. This was influenced to a large extent by his mother and his own aunt, who also loved philosophy. At the insistence of his father, he decides to become a statesman.
His own aunt also contributed a lot to his promotion, since was married to an influential governor in Egypt, he later became a senator. But the career was not destined to be, tk. the young man suddenly fell ill.
There were times when the young man wanted to commit suicide. After experiencing depression, he goes to Egypt for treatment. At the same time, the young philosopher began writing scientific and natural treatises.
Great speaker
In 33, he received the title of quaestor, while the empire was ruled by Tiberius. After 4 years, Caligula took the throne of the empire, and at this time Seneca became a member of the Senate.
In a fairly short time, he gained popularity, becoming an excellent speaker. So excellent that the glory of this sage aroused the envy of the ruler, who gives the order to kill his famous ward.
One of the concubines helped him stay alive, telling how poor Seneca’s health was and that he would not live long.
4 years later, during the reign of Claudius, Seneca was sent into exile to Corsica, where he spent 8 years in exile. This happened in 41, and the intrigues of the wife of the reigning emperor, Messalina, were to blame.
After 9 years, the thinker returns to his homeland to become the mentor of the future emperor Nero, the son of the current ruler Claudius and his wife Agrippina. It was she who influenced the return of the philosopher.
In 54, Claudius was poisoned and rightfully the throne began to belong to his son Nero, who took it at the age of 16, becoming the current ruler. Seneca occupies an important place in the development of the state – now he is the first adviser to the emperor.
In addition to him, Sextus Afranius Burr also becomes an advisor, who was involved in army affairs. It was during these years that Seneca’s influence on the rule and development of the state is greater than ever, almost all power is concentrated in his hands.
A year later, for good service, he was awarded the title of consul-suffect. These are the years of fame and fortune for Seneca. His fortune was estimated at that time in the fabulous amount of 300 million sesterces (silver coins).
In 59, the emperor Nero, with the help of his advisers, participates in the poisoning of his mother, and then makes him write and read a letter of acquittal before the Senate. The thinker takes such actions of the emperor more and more difficult and, in the end, in 62, he submits his letter of resignation, he left all his enormous fortune to the emperor Nero.
Seneca’s death
Death of Seneca. He cut open the veins in his arms and legs
Seneca was a danger for Nero, for he was an ideological example of prohibitions and correct actions. The sage became objectionable and even interfered. In this regard, Nero orders the execution of the sage, on the condition that the latter is given the right to choose to commit suicide.
Thus, Nero was freed from morality and conscience in the person of Seneca. To avoid execution, Seneca chooses suicide. Together with him, his wife Paulina decides to leave this life.
Seneca: aphorisms
“No matter how long you live, you should learn all your life.”
“With whom you lead, from that you will gain.”
“A person can learn his abilities only by applying them in practice.”
“A life of duty, if it is full … We will measure it by actions, not by time.”
“Happiness has never put a person to such a height that he does not need a friend.”
“Necessity breaks all laws.”
“A clear conscience is a constant holiday.”
“Live means fight”.
“It is better for someone who is seized by anger to postpone making a decision.”
“Money should be managed, not served.”
“Better not to start than stop halfway.”
“It often happens that it is better not to notice the insult than to avenge it later.”
Dear reader, be sure to read Moral Letters to Lucilius. These 124 letters take the form of Seneca’s friendly and benevolent admonitions to his friend Lucilius, the governor (procurator) of Sicily. Awesome thoughts!
Seneca: biography (video)
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