Seneca: biography of the famous Stoic philosopher

April 2, 2024

Lucio Anneo Seneca is one of the most representative philosophers of the school of Stoicism , especially from its later development stage. He was one of the most important figures for philosophy during the Roman Empire and is retaken to this day in studies on Greek philosophy and contemporary ethics.

Although it is not an autobiographical writing, in all his work, Seneca maintains a great connection between his everyday experiences and the philosophical reflections that these aroused. The previous thing has arrived until our days through the written records that the own Séneca realized.

In this article you will find a biography of Lucio Anneo Séneca as well as some of the main characteristics of his work.

Related article: "The 15 most important Greek philosophers in history"

Lucio Anneo Séneca: biography of a stoicist philosopher

Lucio Anneo Séneca was born in Córdoba, Spain approximately in the year 4 a.C., in the height of the Roman Empire within the province of Hispania. He came from a distinguished family and high society.

His father, Marco Anneo Seneca, was a Roman orator and writer who made important studies on the history of oratory. Many of his works were attributed to Lucio Anneo during the Middle Ages, time in which Seneca son was much recognized. To differentiate it, he was called Seneca the Speaker or Seneca the Elder.

The life of Seneca the Younger went through different moments that allowed him to reflect deeply on emotions, ambition, the healing power of philosophy, and death, among other topics. In fact, most of his writings are usually interpreted taking into account his biography. He studied rhetoric and philosophy in Rome and his career is recognized for having been successful, somewhat dramatic and also political.

For example, he was accused of adultery and exiled to Corsica. Likewise, he was among the advisors to Emperor Nero in politically complicated moments, and finally was accused of complicity in the conspiracy of Pisonian, to assassinate Nero. For this reason he was forced to commit suicide in Rome in the year 65.

Stoicism and Seneca writings

Stoicism is a philosophical school that Zeno de Citio founded and which is based on the domain of passions and a life based on seeking happiness by means of reason. During the imperial period, this school had a great influence in literary works.

Especially the tragedies of Seneca, of important philosophical content, were of great relevance. For the same reason, Seneca is considered both a philosopher and a poet. Although this differentiation has been a controversial issue among specialists.

Formerly, in fact, it was thought that there had been "two Seneca": one philosopher and one tragic (or poet). Nowadays it is accepted that Seneca's interest in ethics and psychology (especially the destructive effects of excessive emotionality) are present in all his literary work, both in verse and in prose.

In any case, their tragedies are recognized as darker writings than those made in prose. It is the case, for example, of the subject of death, which in its writings in prose appears as a liberation; in fact, it justified suicide as an ethical way of dying. However, in tragedies, death usually appears as the transition to greater suffering.

Seneca was in agreement with a psychological monism, insofar as he does not distinguish between a rational or a non-rational component of the soul (just as the earlier Stoics did not). For these, knowledge is based on action, there is no distinction between a practical and a theoretical reason. In this sense, theorizing and reflecting on the ethical and moral aspects of daily life is a way of producing knowledge, achieving happiness and virtue.

Later influence

Part of Seneca's stoicism is recognized as one of the most important antecedents of modern concerns about shaping ourselves and our lives. On the one hand, Seneca's work emphasizes the earlier Stoic philosophy and adds some details. For another, his work is characterized by the absence of technicalities and to emphasize the therapeutic properties and practical qualities of philosophy.

He defended the idea of equality of men and a lifestyle based on moderation. The latter represented the path to happiness, and should be accompanied by rejection of superstitions. It is part of his work was taken up in an important way by Renaissance currents and by different philosophical schools of modernity.

Representative works

In his writings he discusses some questions that have to do with moral problems of daily life. Between the most outstanding works they are, for example, Letters to Licilio, the moral letters, the moral tests, the Ambrosian Codex and the natural questions. Along with the consolation to his mother Helvia and the Consolation to Polybius, the consolation of Marcia is the oldest known work to this day.