The greatest empire a life of Seneca Life of Seneca Wilson, Emily R. 1971- creator author. text bibliography biography Biographies. Biographies. Criticism, interpretation, etc. enk 2014 monographic eng print xiii, 253 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm "The life and works of Seneca pose a number of fascinating challenges. For one thing, how can we reconcile the bloody, passionate tragedies, with the prose works advocating a life of Stoic tranquility? An even more challenging question is, how are we to reconcile Seneca the Stoic philosopher, the man of principle, who advocated a life of calm and simplicity, with Seneca the man of the moment, who amassed a vast personal fortune in the service of an emperor seen by many, at the time and afterwards, as an insane tyrant? In this biography, Emily Wilson will present Seneca as a man under enormous pressure, struggling for compromise in a world of absolutism. His work and his life both show, in fascinating ways, the fissures and cracks created by the clash of the ideal and the real: the gulf between political hopes and fears, and philosophical ideals; the gap between what we want to be, and what we are. The book will assume no prior knowledge either of ancient Roman society, Stoicism, Seneca's life or work, but will weave these features together into a lively narrative, while presenting new insights into an author whose reputation is currently experiencing a revival within the academy"-- "A rough road to greatness" "Parental love is wise" -- "Nowhere and everywhere" -- "Vices tempt you by the rewards they offer" -- "There's no easy path from Earth to the stars." Emily Wilson. Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-245) and index. Seneca, Lucius Annaeus approximately 4 B.C.-65 A.D Seneca, Lucius Annaeus approximately 4 B.C.-65 A.D Criticism and interpretation Seneca, Lucius Annaeus approximately 4 B.C.-65 A.D Philosophus Seneca, Lucius Annaeus -65 HISTORY Ancient Rome PHILOSOPHY History & Surveys Ancient & Classical Filosofer Antiken sao PA6675 .W55 2014 878.0109 B HIS002020 PHI002000 9780199926640 0199926646 9780190939533 0190939532 2014008888 DLC 140610 20200420140431.0 in00004099113 eng