![]() ![]() How should we view Seneca? James Romm opens his book with divergent possibilities passed down through history: a Stoic philosopher, doing his best to minimize the actions of a deranged emperor, or maybe an opportunistic manipulator, enriching himself at others’ expense while hypocritically preaching virtue and ethics. Nero spiraled out of control and Seneca was implicated in a plot to assassinate the emperor. Seneca became a close adviser to Nero on the emperor’s ascension to the throne. His writings include philosophical essays and letters along with chilling tragedies. Banished to Corsica under Claudius (at the bidding of Claudius’ third wife Messalina), Seneca eventually returned to Rome to tutor the future emporer Nero, Claudius’ fourth wife’s (Agrippina’s) son. ![]() Entering politics he rose to the rank of Consul but ran afoul with Caligula. ![]() The young Seneca moved to Rome to study rhetoric and was introduced to Stoic philosophy. ![]() on the Iberian peninsula to the son of a accomplished rhetorician (Seneca the Elder). Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero by James Romm ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |