Seneca: Philosopher and Friend

3 units

Seneca the Younger was a philosopher, politician, playwright, and propagandist; he rose from the province of Spain to become tutor and advisor to Nero, only to fall from favor and commit suicide at the emperor's command. We will study Seneca's life and works, focusing on the Epistulae Morales and select philosophical treatises. We will pay special attention to issues of language and style, cultural and historical context, and ideological and philosophical content.