Lucio Anneo Seneca is one of the most representative philosophers of the school of Stoicism , especially of its later stage of development. He was one of the most important figures for philosophy during the Roman Empire and is taken up to this day in studies on Greek philosophy and contemporary ethics.

Although it is not an autobiographical writing, in all his work, Seneca maintains a great connection between his daily experiences and the philosophical reflections that these provoked in him. This has come down to us through the written records that Seneca himself made.

In this article you will find a biography of Lucio Anneo Seneca as well as some of the main characteristics of his work.

Lucio Anneo Seneca: biography of a stoicist philosopher

Lucio Anneo Seneca was born in Cordoba, Spain approximately in 4 B.C., at the height of the Roman Empire within the province of Hispania. He came from a distinguished and high society family.

His father, Marcus Annoeus Seneca, was a Roman orator and writer who made important studies on the history of oratory. Many of his works were attributed to Lucius Anneus during the Middle Ages, a time when Seneca Jr. To differentiate him, he was called Seneca the Orator or Seneca the Elder.

Seneca the Younger’s life went through different moments that allowed him to reflect deeply on emotions, ambition, the healing power of philosophy, and death, among other topics. In fact, a large part of his writings are usually interpreted taking into account his biography. He studied rhetoric and philosophy in Rome and his career is recognized for having been successful, somewhat dramatic and also political.

For example, he was accused of adultery and exiled to Corsica. He was also among Emperor Nero’s advisors in politically difficult moments, and was finally accused of complicity in the Pisonian conspiracy to murder Nero. For this reason he was forced to commit suicide in Rome in 65.

Stoicism and the Seneca writings

Stoicism is a philosophical school founded by Zeno of Cythia and based on the mastery of the passions and a life based on the search for happiness through reason. During the imperial period, this school had a great influence on literary works.

Especially the tragedies of Seneca, of important philosophical content, were of great relevance. For the same reason, Seneca is considered both a philosopher and a poet. Although this differentiation has been a controversial issue among specialists.

In the past, in fact, it was thought that there had been “two Senecas”: one philosopher and one tragic (or poet). Today it is accepted that Seneca’s interest in ethics and psychology (especially the destructive effects of excessive emotionality), are present in all his literary work, both in verse and prose.

In any case, his tragedies are recognized as darker writings than those performed in prose. This is the case, for example, with the theme of death, which in his prose writings appears as a liberation; in fact, he justified suicide as an ethical way of dying. However, in tragedies, death is often presented as the transition to greater suffering.

Seneca agreed with a psychological monism, insofar as he did not distinguish between a rational and a non-rational component of the soul (just as the earlier Stoics did not). For them, knowledge is based on action, there is no distinction between practical and theoretical reason. In this sense, theorizing and reflecting on the ethical and moral aspects of daily life is a way of producing knowledge, achieving happiness and virtue.

Later influence

Part of Seneca’s stoicism is recognized as one of the most important antecedents to modern concerns about shaping ourselves and our lives. On the one hand, Seneca’s work emphasizes the earlier Stoic philosophy and adds some details to it. On the other hand, his work is characterized by the absence of technicalities and by emphasizing the therapeutic properties and practical qualities of philosophy.

He advocated the idea of the equality of men and a lifestyle based on moderation. The latter represented the way to happiness, and had to be accompanied by the rejection of superstitions. This part of his work was taken up in an important way by the Renaissance currents and by different philosophical schools of modernity.

Representative works

In his writings he discusses some questions that have to do with moral problems of everyday life. Among his most outstanding works are, for example, Letters to Lycicles, The Moral Letters, The Moral Essays, The Ambrosian Codex and The Natural Questions. Together with The Consolation to Her Mother Helvia and The Consolation to Polybius, Marcia’s Consolation is the oldest known work to date.

Bibliographic references:

  • Vogt, K. (2015). Seneca. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved August 13, 2018. Available at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/seneca/#LifWor.