Synopses & Reviews
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and advisor to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection helps restore Senecawhose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emersonto his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. Hardship and Happiness collects a range of essays intended to instruct, from consolationsworks that offer comfort to someone who has suffered a personal lossto pieces on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Expertly translated, the essays will be read and used by undergraduate philosophy students and experienced scholars alike.
Synopsis
The selections are drawn from the essays, or dialogues, and the "Consolations;" from the treatises, of which "On Clemency," addressed to the young Nero, is included here; and from theLetters to Lucilius, which have to do not only with philosophical subjects but also with Seneca's personal experiences, such as journeys and visits. Moses Hadas has selected letters and essays which reveal Seneca's major philosophical themes the relationship of the individual to society and to the gods; the meaning of pain and misfortune; man's attitudes to change, time, and death; and the nature of the highest good and of the happy life. In his Introduction, Professor Hadas discusses Seneca's life and work, tracing the history of his reputation; comments on Seneca's style; and outlines the origins and tenets of Stoicism. "
Synopsis
In The Stoic Philosophy of Seneca, representative selections from Seneca's writings offer the reader an excellent introduction to the range of his work.
The selections are drawn from the essays, or dialogues, and the Consolations; from the treatises, of which On Clemency, addressed to the young Nero, is included here; and from the Letters to Lucilius, which have to do not only with philosophical subjects but also with Seneca's personal experiences, such as journeys and visits.
Moses Hadas has selected letters and essays which reveal Seneca's major philosophical themes--the relationship of the individual to society and to the gods; the meaning of pain and misfortune; man's attitudes to change, time, and death; and the nature of the highest good and of the happy life. In his Introduction, Professor Hadas discusses Seneca's life and work, tracing the history of his reputation; comments on Seneca's style; and outlines the origins and tenets of Stoicism.
Synopsis
In , representative selections from Seneca's writings offer the reader an excellent introduction to the range of his work. The selections are drawn from the essays, or dialogues, and the "Consolations;" from the treatises, of which "On Clemency," addressed to the young Nero, is included here; and from the , which have to do not only with philosophical subjects but also with Seneca's personal experiences, such as journeys and visits. Moses Hadas has selected letters and essays which reveal Seneca's major philosophical themes--the relationship of the individual to society and to the gods; the meaning of pain and misfortune; man's attitudes to change, time, and death; and the nature of the highest good and of the happy life. In his Introduction, Professor Hadas discusses Seneca's life and work, tracing the history of his reputation; comments on Seneca's style; and outlines the origins and tenets of Stoicism.
Synopsis
The philosophy of Seneca has extended in influence from first-century Rome to the essays of Montaigne, to Elizabethan tragedy, to the theology of Calvin and the doctrines of the French Revolution.
Synopsis
This volume collects all the remaining essays by Seneca not already published in the series [Consolato ad Marciam (Hine), Consolato ad Polybium (Hine), Consolato ad Helviam (Williams), De otio (Williams), Brevitate (Williams), De tranquillitate animi (Fantham), De constantia (Ker), De providentia (Ker), De vita beata (Ker)]. In general, these pieces are intended to edify. They range from consolations to essays on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Many are quite popular in undergraduate philosophy courses. Fantham's translation is the jewel in the crown.
About the Author
Elaine Fantham was the Giger Professor of Latin at Princeton University from 1986 to 1999. She has written many books and commentaries on Latin literature, including Seneca’s Troades. Harry M. Hine is honorary professor in the School of Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and the translator of Seneca’s Natural Questions, also in the series. James Ker is associate professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the editor of A Seneca Reader: Selections from Prose and Tragedy. Gareth D. Williams is the Violin Family Professor of Classics at Columbia University and the author of many books, including The Cosmic Viewpoint: A Study of Seneca’s “Natural Questions.”
Table of Contents
Seneca and His WorldNote on Translations and Their Sequence
Consolation to Marciatranslated by harry m. hineTranslator’s Introduction
Consolation to MarciaNotes
Consolation to Helviatranslated by gareth d. williamsTranslator’s Introduction
Consolation to HelviaNotes
Consolation to Polybiustranslated by harry m. hineTranslator’s Introduction
Consolation to PolybiusNotes
On the Shortness of Lifetranslated by gareth d. williamsTranslator’s Introduction
On the Shortness of LifeNotes
On the Constancy of the Wise PersonTranslated by James KerTranslator’s Introduction
On the Constancy of the Wise PersonNotesReferences
On Tranquility of MindTranslated by Elaine FanthamTranslator’s Introduction
On Tranquility of MindNotesBibliography
On Leisuretranslated by gareth d. williamsTranslator’s Introduction
On LeisureNotes
On the Happy Lifetranslated by james kerTranslator’s Introduction
On the Happy LifeNotesReferences
On Providencetranslated by james kerTranslator’s Introduction
On ProvidenceNotesReferences Index