Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism

Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism - Paperback

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Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism
  • Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism
Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism - Paperback

Stoic Foundations: The Cornerstone Works of Stoicism - Paperback

by Marcus Aurelius , Seneca , Epictetus
$17.99
$17.99

Book Overview

by Marcus Aurelius (Author), Seneca (Author), Epictetus (Author)

An essential guide to the core texts of Stoic philosophy, featuring a new introduction from Massimo Pigliucci, author of How To Be A Stoic

Stoicism is a philosophy, a worldview, and a transformational practice. Throughout the centuries everyone from kings and presidents to Silicone Valley entrepreneurs have drawn inspiration and wisdom from Stoicism. The best way to learn about Stoic philosophy is always to go back to the foundation--the original texts, written by the great Stoic philosophers.

Three writers form the bedrock of Stoic thought: Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor; Seneca, a playwright and advisor; and Epictetus, a former slave turned philosopher and teacher. Stoic Foundations combines the work of these three pillars of Stoic thought into one essential volume, including Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, selections from Seneca's Letters from a Stoic, and Epictetus's Enchiridion.

Though they were written millennia ago, these texts have resonated with readers across the centuries, offering powerful, clear guidance that remains relevant and transformative in the modern day. Featuring an insightful introduction from Massimo Pigliucci, author of How to Be A Stoic, Stoic Foundations is essential reading for anyone interested in exploring modern Stoicism and in reading the luminaries of Stoic philosophy in their own words.

Author Biography

Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD. He was the last emperor during the Pax Romana, a time of peace and stability for the Roman Empire. He wrote Meditations, one of the key texts of Stoic philosophy, while on campaign, as a way to foster his own self-improvement.

Seneca was a Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright. He was the tutor and advisor of Emperor Nero before he was forced to drink poison for allegedly having aided in an assassination attempt against the emperor. He is best known for his letters and essay on moral issues as well as his tragedies, including Medea and Phaedra.

Epictetus was born into slavery, but gained his freedom and became one of the primary thinkers in the Stoic tradition. The only record of his teachings comes via Arrian, his pupil, who recorded much of his philosophy and reasoning.
Number of Pages: 400
Dimensions: 1.1 x 8.9 x 5.9 IN
Publication Date: November 14, 2023
ISBN9780306834738
Author Marcus Aurelius , Seneca , Epictetus
PublisherBalance
GenreBusiness and Philosophy
FormatPaperback
PublishedNovember 2023
LanguageENG- English
Pages400
Weight1.0 lb
Target AudienceAdults
Print SizeStandard Print

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By Marcus Aurelius
About Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 CE) was adopted by the emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161, (as joint emperor with adoptive brother Lucius Verus). The last of the so-called Five Good Emperors, he ruled alone from 169. Presiding over a changing Rome, he spent much of his reign in putting down variou rebellions. Today, he is best-know for his Meditations, a series of reflections, strongly influenced by Epictetus, which cemented his place as one of the greatest Stoic Philosophers. He died in 180 and was succeed by his natural son, thus ending the period of the adoptive emperors. Diskin Clay is Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at Duke University and has published widely in the area of Ancient Greek Philosophy. Martin Hammond was Head Master of Tonbridge School and has translated many works of classic literature, including Homer's Iliad for Penguin Classics.
About Seneca
Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c.4BC-AD65) was born in Cordoba, Spain, where he was brought up studying the traditional virtues of republican Roman life. He became a teacher of rhetoric but attracted attention for his incisive style of writing. Closely linked to Nero, his death was ordered by the emperor in AD65. Seneca committed suicide.
About Epictetus
Epictetus (c. AD 55-135) was a teacher and Greco-Roman philosopher. Originally a slave from Hierapolis in Anatolia (modern Turkey), he was owned for a time by a prominent freedman at the court of the emperor Nero. After gaining his freedom he moved to Nicopolis on the Adriatic coast of Greece and opened a school of philosophy there. His informal lectures (Discourses) were transcribed and published by his student Arrian, who also composed a digest of Epictetus's teaching known as the Manual (or Enchiridion).

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