Letters from a Stoic

This edition of Seneca's Epistles unites all 124 of the letters in a single volume, complete with thorough explanatory notes, an appendix, and an index of the names referred to in the text. The entirety of this compendium was penned by Seneca during his retirement and sent to his friend Lucilius Junior, a procurator of Sicily. At this late stage of life, Seneca held great experience in matters of both philosophy and governance, having served under the Emperor Nero for fifteen years. Despite the conversational tone present in many of Seneca's epistles, it isn't entirely clear whether Seneca actually corresponded with Lucilius. It is possible that Seneca simply wished to write a fictional correspondence so as to experiment with the form, possibly recreating how he might wisely explain certain ideas or concepts to individuals. It is in his Epistles that Seneca demonstrates his philosophical clout: topics range from how to behave virtuously, how to approach death, how to consider drunkenness, how philosophy is practical and relevant to living, and how travel can be a salve to the trials of everyday living. The opinions of Seneca are generally supported by examples, logical argument, or rooted in his long experiences of life and learning. Seneca's letters are valuable for shedding light on a variety of disciplines as they were in classical antiquity. The jargon surrounding medicine, law, and navigation at sea show a culture where professions had developed greatly. The social aspect of Roman life, how people recreated, and what things were held in high regard are also much discussed, while prominent figures such as Publilius Syrus are quoted by Seneca in support of his points or topics. The quotation: Vita sine litteris mors - 'Life without learning [is] death' - is derived from the 82nd epistle, and remains the motto for several educational institutions around the world.