Seneca: De otio; De brevitate vitae
This edition, the first modern one in English, introduces undergraduates and more advanced students to the therapeutic possibilities of Seneca's Stoic philosophy. The short treatises De otio and De brevitate vitae balance each other by representing different but complementary aspects of Senecan philosophy: in De otio, one's duty to the 'active' life, in De brevitate vitae, one's duty to oneself in reclaiming life from the impositions made upon the self. The provocative Senecan message is to promote introspection in life, and to suggest the benefits of an inner existence of the personal. In addition to its literary and linguistic emphasis, this edition tries to advertize the means by which Seneca conveys the attractions of his therapeutic 'philosophy'.
- First modern commentary in English on both works
- Emphasises the new literary-philosophical message, marrying the interpretation of the philosophy with the way in which the philosophy is presented
- Full linguistic help provided to help students read and appreciate the text
Reviews & endorsements
"...scholarly and comprehensive...will be useful (indeed, essential) for Senecan scholars and their graduate students."
-Mark Morford, University of Virginia, The Classical Outlook
"This excellent addition to the Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics fills a great void and is hence welcome indeed."
-R. Scott Smith, University of New Hampshire, New England Classical Journal
"The two works included in this volume are complementary and contain a great deal of interest to students of Roman culture and ancient philosophy."
-Classical World
"The volume would...make an attractive choice for study even at the undergraduate level, for the two dialogues offered here are among the most accessible of Seneca's shorter works."
-Margaret Graver, Department of Classics, Dartmouth College, Ancient Philosophy
Product details
February 2003Paperback
9780521588065
288 pages
188 × 123 × 18 mm
0.3kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- L. ANNAEI SENECAE DE OTIO
- DE BREVITATE VITAE
- Commentary.