Seneca: The Basics

This book offers a comprehensive guide to the works of Seneca the Younger (4 BCE–65 CE), the foremost rhetorician, tragedian, and philosopher of his time who had a major role in the politics and culture of the age of Emperor Nero.

It provides readers with the historical, philosophical, and literary background to appreciate Seneca’s works, and advances representative critical readings of his treatises and tragedies. Chapters highlight his life, political theory, Stoicism, and dramaturgy, as well as contemporary and later reception of his works, and suggest further readings for those interested in pursuing these topics in greater depth.

Seneca: The Basics is suitable for students and scholars of classics, philosophy, and ancient history, as well as general readers interested in learning more about Seneca and his thought.

Christopher V. Trinacty is Professor of Classics at Oberlin College (USA). He is the author of Senecan Tragedy and the Reception of Augustan Poetry (2014) and numerous articles about Seneca.