Seneca's letters to his friend Lucilius are powerful moral essays that
also yield illuminating insight into Seneca's personal life and the
truly turbulent times in which he lived. One of the great Stoic
philosophers, Seneca here guides Lucilius' struggle to achieve wisdom
and serenity, uninfluenced by worldly emotions. He advises his friend on
how to do without what is superfluous, whether in terms of happiness,
riches, reputation, or the emotions. The letters include literary
discussions, moral exhortation, exemplary heroes and episodes from Roman
history, and a lurid picture of contemporary luxury. And under Nero's
chaotic reign, the topic of death is never far away. This marvelous new
translation by eminent scholar Elaine Fantham offers the largest
selection of Seneca's letters currently available. Fantham's invaluable
introduction discusses Seneca's family and political career, his many
and varied writings, the nature of the letters as genuine epistles or
fiction, their
philosophical concerns, and other social and cultural aspects. Short
head-notes to each letter summarize its themes and parallels with other
letters, opening a window on to Seneca's world.
About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has
made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the
globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to
scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other
valuable features, including expert introductions by leading
authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date
bibliographies for further study, and much more.
