The philosopher Seneca: biography

Seneca is a philosopher, a talented speaker, distinguished by enviable eloquence, a writer whose works are the subject of close study. Seneca, Jr. (as it was also called) is the author of many aphorisms and sayings.

Seneca (philosopher) - biography

Seneca, an ancient philosopher, was born in Cordoba (Spain) in the family of the Roman "horseman" and the famous rhetorician Lucius Annaeus Seneca. The education and training of the son was done by Seneca Sr., who inspired the boy with basic moral principles and paid much attention to the development of eloquence. A great trace in the life of the child was left by his mother and aunt who instilled in him a love of philosophy, which subsequently determined his life path. It should be noted that the father did not share the aspirations of the boy, because he did not care for philosophy.

Living in Rome, the future philosopher Seneca, and at that time just Seneca, junior, enthusiastically engaged in rhetoric, grammar and, of course, philosophy. Enthusiastically he listened to the speeches of the Pythagoreans Sextius and Sotion, the cynicism of Demetrius and the Stoic Attalus. His teacher was Papirius Fabian, respected Seneca Sr..

The beginning of political career

Deep philosophical and rhetorical knowledge allowed Senek to successfully advance in the public and political arena. The Roman philosopher Seneca at the very beginning of his public activities acted as an attorney, later, with the assistance of his aunt, who married the influential Egyptian governor Vitrasia Pollio, received a questura that brought him the title of senator.

If not for the disease, then, most likely, the future Roman philosopher Seneca, following the example of his father, would become a rhetorician. However, a serious illness that knocked him down at the beginning of the career of a statesman prompted a different path. The illness was so painful and painful that she brought Seneca to thoughts of suicide, which, fortunately, remained with her thoughts.

The next few years, the philosopher Seneca spent in Egypt, where he was treated and was engaged in writing natural-science tracts. Life in Egypt, far from comfort, and engaging in philosophy, taught him to live a simple life. For some time he even refused to eat meat, but later departed from the principles of vegetarianism.

Activities in the Senate

Upon his return, the philosopher Seneca enters the senate, where he quickly conquers the glory of a talented speaker, which excites jealous envy of the ruler of Rome, Caligula. The Roman philosopher Seneca spoke enthusiastically and expressively, possessed an enviable gift of eloquence and could easily enthrall the audience, who listened to him with bated breath. Caligula (see the photo above), who could not boast of such a talent, experienced a strong hatred for the philosopher. Envious and jealous Caligula in every possible way belittled the oratorical talent of Seneca, which, however, did not prevent that from enjoying success with fellow citizens.

The life path of Seneca could have ended in the year 39, since Caligula intended to eliminate the brilliant speaker, but one of the court ladies told the emperor that Seneca, suffering from tuberculosis, would not live long.

At about the same time, Seneca got married, but the marriage that brought him two sons, judging by the hints that slipped in his writings, was unsuccessful.

Link to Corsica

At the beginning of the reign of Claudius, the most insidious and unpredictable enemy of the philosopher was the wife of Emperor Messalina, who hated Julia Lillila (niece of Claudius) and persecuted Seneca for the support given to supporters of the Caligula sisters who fought Messalina for influence on the ruler. The searches of Messalina led the philosopher to the dock, where he appeared before the Senate as the accused (according to one version) in an affair with Julia. The intercession of Claudius saved his life, the death penalty was replaced by a reference to the island of Corsica, where Seneca - an ancient Roman philosopher and writer - remained almost 8 years.

The reference was given to him incredibly hard, even considering that he could devote much time to philosophical thinking and writing. This is evidenced by the flattering appeals to those who have influence at the imperial court, in which he asked to soften the verdict and return him to his homeland. Nevertheless, he could return to Rome only after the death of Messalina.

Return to policy

Thanks to the efforts of Agrippina, the young wife of Emperor Claudius, Seneca returned to Rome and plunged into politics again. The Empress saw in him an instrument that enabled her to fulfill her ambitious plans. Thanks to her diligence, the philosopher Seneca headed the prefecture and became the tutor of the young Nero, her son. That time can be considered the rise of his power, which he multiplied after the death of the benefactress as one of the advisers of Nero, who bestowed the teacher with honors and the highest confidence.

The funerary speech, uttered by the young Nero in memory of the late Claudius, belongs to his pen. Subsequently, Seneca wrote for the emperor speech for all occasions, for which he was highly appreciated. Marriage with Pompeii Paulina not only increased his wealth and strengthened influence, but also brought him happiness.

The Board of Nero

The beginning of Nero's reign was calm for Seneca, considering that at that time he enjoyed an inexhaustible credit of trust from the emperor, who listened to his advice. Historians believe that Nero's magnanimity, demonstrated by him in the early years of the reign, is a merit of Seneca. The famous philosopher kept him from atrocities and other manifestations of intemperance, however, fearing losing influence on the emperor, encouraged a tendency to lasciviousness.

In the fifty-seventh year, Seneca was awarded the post of consul. By that time, his condition had reached 300 million sesterces. Two years later, Nero forced Seneca to indirectly participate in the murder of Agrippina. Her death made a split in the relationship between the emperor and the philosopher, who could not reconcile himself with the fact that he was forced to participate in such a dishonorable and unnatural act. Later the philosopher wrote for Nero hypocritical speech, justifying this crime.

Relations with the emperor are steadily deteriorating. The searches of rivals who pointed to the ruler of the danger of concentrating huge wealth in the hands of one person and drawing Nero's attention to the respectful attitude of his fellow citizens to Seneke led to sad consequences: the first adviser fell into disgrace and, on the pretext of poor health, withdrew from the court, giving up all the condition to Nero. Later, fearing the progressive tyranny of the emperor, who refused him the request to retire to a secluded estate, he closed himself in the room, telling the patient.

Death of Seneca

The plot of Piso, who intended to deprive Neron of life, played a tragic role in the fate of the philosopher. The criminals accused Seneca of taking part in the conspiracy, presenting the emperor with a false note that assured him of the betrayal of the old teacher. On the orders of Emperor Seneca, he opened his veins and ended his days surrounded by his family, friends and admirers of his talent.

The philosopher Seneca passed away without wailing and fear, as he preached in his teaching. His wife wanted to follow her husband, but the emperor kept her from suicide.

Seneca - speaker

Seneca remained in the memory of friends and admirers as an incredibly clever, versatile educated person, thinker and philosopher, a genius of eloquence, a brilliant orator and a witty conversationalist. Seneca masterfully mastered the voice, had a vast vocabulary, so that his speech flowed smoothly and smoothly, without excessive pathos and pomposity, bringing to the interlocutor or listener what the philosopher wanted to tell him. Briefness and expressiveness, inexhaustible wit and rich imagination, inimitable elegance of exposition - this is what distinguished him from other speakers.

Literary works

Seneca's fame as a writer is based on prose works, where he expounded his thoughts, acting as a philosopher, writer and moralist. Being a famous orator and possessing a magnificent, though somewhat ornate style, he was considered the first literary figure of that time and acquired many imitators. His literary works were criticized by followers of Cicero and archaists, nevertheless the works of Seneca were valued and studied up to the Middle Ages.

Philosophical views of Seneca

Seneca referred himself to the Stoics, however, according to scientists, his philosophical views are closer to eclecticism. This is first of all demonstrated by the tolerance with which he treated the weaknesses and vices of people. Stoicism Seneca meant the inner freedom of the individual, condescension to the passions and weaknesses of man, resigned submission to the divine will. The philosopher believed that the body - just a dungeon, from which the soul rushes to freedom and finds a real life, leaving it.

Seneca expressed his philosophical views in the form of sermons. In the legacy of mankind there were twelve diatribes (small treatises), three large tracts, several epigrams, nine tragedies, based on mythical subjects and a political pamphlet dedicated to the death of Emperor Claudius. Until now, only snatches of speeches written for Nero have come down.