The Teaching of Epictetus

by Epictetus

Downloads: Under 100
Pages: 127

Read online EPUB Download Save

About this book

The Teaching of Epictetus is by Epictetus, translated from the Greek, with introduction and notes, by T. W. Rolleston. The introduction says that but for the zeal and ability of one disciple we should not now possess any trustworthy account of the teaching of Epictetus.

The introduction describes Epicurus as an Athenian who, after some residence in Lesbos and Lampsacus, began to teach in his native city about the year 306 B.C. A chapter on the mind's security asks whether anyone who sets the mind at the mercy of every chance, to be troubled and perturbed when any one may revile, has no shame of this. A chapter headed that a man should be one man says that in every work you will take in hand you should mark well what must go before and what must follow, and so proceed. The text imagines the wish to conquer in the Olympic games, and says to mark the prefaces and the consequences, and then set to work.

About the author

Epictetus

Was born into slavery in Phrygia, worked in Rome for a secretary of Nero, was lamed for life, and was eventually freed and exiled along with every other philosopher when Domitian expelled them. He wrote nothing. The Discourses and the shorter Enchiridion were taken down by his student Arrian, which is the same route by which Socrates survives.