The Greatest Empire: A Life of Seneca

Nero’s theatrical performances with the strong opposition of another, somewhat younger Stoic contemporary: Epictetus.

The questions focus almost entirely on material possessions, of which slaves are only an expensive subcategory.

Egypt was agreed to be the best possible cure for those afflicted by lung disease.

The existence of Thrasea suggests at least the possibility of refusing to compromise under Nero—a possibility that Seneca manifestly did not take up. This is not the only time that Seneca looks rather shabby in comparison to Thrasea.

Virtue does bring pleasure, but it is chosen for itself, not for any pleasure it may bring. The problem with equating pleasure and virtue, as the Epicureans do, is that it risks making one too vulnerable to Fortune. Any physical pleasure, even the most moderate joy an Epicurean takes in his crust of bread and swig of water, seasoned only with hunge

constant is fear.

Columella (4–70 ce), was born and raised in Roman Gades (modern Cadiz). After a stint in the army, he returned to the Spanish countryside and eventually produced one of the most influential Roman handbooks on agriculture, the still-extant De Re Rustica (On the countryside). Columella and Seneca probably knew each other and bonded over their shared

deaths of not one but three grandchildren in quick succession

Marriage was presented in this work as a feature of the ideal life. In accordance with Stoic theory, Seneca admits that marriage is an indifferent thing, not valuable in the same way that virtue is valuable; but it is a preferable indifferent, such that a good wife is definitely better than no wife at all.