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Seneca (LUCIUS ANN US a Roman)

LUCIUS ANNÆUS, a Roman philosopher, son of M. Annæus Seneca, an eminent rhetorician; was born in Cordoba, Spain, about the beginning of the Christian era. Taken early to Rome, he became an advocate, gained some distinction, and was made quæstor.

But under Claudius, an accusation brought against him by the infamous SENECA RIVER Messalina, led to his being banished to Corsica. Returning after an exile of eight years, he was intrusted by Agrippina with the education of her son Nero. He acquired over the youth an influence as strong as it was salutary, and, having already at Agrippina's instance become prætor, he was, at that of Nero (now emperor), made consul, A. D. 57. His high moral aims and intellectual gifts incurred the jealousy and hatred of the emperor, while his wealth excited Nero's rapacity. An attempt on Nero's part to poison him having failed, he was drawn into the Pisonian conspiracy, accused, convicted, and condemned. Left free to choose his mode of death, he opened his veins, and gradually su succumbed to syncope, A. D. 65. His writings were very numerous, and many are still extant; among them are treatises on "Anger"; on "Consolation"; on "Providence"; "Tranquillity of Mind"; "The Blessed Life"; 124 letters to Lucilius; 10 tragedies, and a remarkable work entitled "Speculations on Natural Phenomena."

Seneca attached himself chiefly to the Stoic school but adopted also principles from other systems. on