The intention of Seneca’s philosophical works to represent the positions of the founders of Stoicism is not seriously in doubt there is little to support the claims of an older generation of scholarship for a deliberate program of eclecticism. Among Seneca’s most characteristic themes are the realignment of action-guiding values through rational reflection, the transformative power of friendship, and the management of destructive impulses and emotions through self-cultivation.

His writings offer an engaging presentation of philosophical ideas and are an important source for earlier Stoic thought.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman adherent of Stoicism with a particular interest in ethics, died in 65 CE after an extensive career as a writer and politician. He was an important figure in the Roman and Byzantine Empire. Seneca the Younger was a man who led a complex life, and he left an even more complex legacy. These include Agamemnon, Hercules Furens, Hercules Oetaeus, Medea, Octavia, Oedipus, Phaedra, Phoenissae, Thyestes, and Troades. However, many believe that Hercules Oetaeus and Octavia were written by other writers, at least in part so the full authorship of those works is unknown. He was also a master playwright and he often rewrote stories that were originally penned in Ancient Greece. He also advised others to use wealth wisely and lead a contemplative life. Seneca called for eliminating what he called destructive passions, such as grief and anger, or at least moderating them through the use of reason. They believed that the key to happiness was following logic and reason and avoiding being controlled by emotions.

Like many philosophers of his day, Seneca was a Stoic. Seneca wrote about 12 philosophical essays as well as more than 100 letters that touched upon philosophical ideas. Nero ordered Seneca to commit suicide, and he suffered a slow and painful death. Still, in 65 AD he was found complicit in a conspiracy to assassinate Nero, which was led by a Roman senator named Gaius Calpurnius Piso. But his influence on Nero began to wane around 62 AD, and he spent more time on his estates, where he focused on his writings. A few years later, Seneca became an influential advisor to Nero and took part in many intrigues. Seneca was recalled to Rome 8 years later, and he became a tutor to Claudius’ son Nero. Then, in 41 AD - after Claudius became Emperor - rumors of an affair led to Seneca’s exile to the island of Corsica. He only escaped this because he was deathly ill. Though these skills got him into trouble with Emperor Caligula and almost led to his death. Sometime after 37 AD, Seneca became a Roman senator and was known for his oratory skills.

Seneca the younger works