by Epictetus
First published 2018
Epictetus transforms philosophy from his position as a slave in imperial Rome. Born in Hierapolis, Phrygia, he serves under Epaphroditus, a former slave turned freedman of Emperor Nero. Physical weakness and lameness mark his early years, yet his mind develops sharp insights into human nature and suffering. When political winds shift and philosophers face banishment from Rome, Epictetus relocates to Nicopolis in northwestern Greece. There he establishes his school and develops his distinctive approach to Stoic thought. His student Arrian carefully records these oral teachings, preserving discussions on virtue, freedom, and the proper use of impressions. The Discourses capture Epictetus addressing real students with practical problems, while the Enchiridion distills his core principles into a portable manual. This collection presents both works through George Long's translation, offering direct access to a philosopher who understood constraint and liberation from personal experience. His teachings emerge not from abstract speculation but from a life that moved between slavery and intellectual freedom.
Genres: biography, history, philosophy, ancient
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Hierapolis, Phrygia, Nicopolis, Greece, Rome
Period: 1st-century
82 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform