The Logos Scripture · The Book of Seneca
The Book of Seneca 4 · Handed down at Rome, from his letters and essays
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, born at Cordoba in Spain about four years before this era, died outside Rome in the year 65. Philosopher and playwright, and one of the richest men in Rome. In 41 he was exiled to Corsica and after eight years recalled to be tutor to the boy Nero. He became his chief minister, and when nothing further could be done he asked to withdraw. In 65 Nero named him in a conspiracy and ordered him to die; he obeyed, and opened his veins. He left a hundred and twenty-four letters, a number of essays, and nine tragedies. Much of what Seneca said accords with the axioms. Much of what he did did not. Chapter 5 is his own defence, taken from On the Happy Life. One thing more is not from his hand, and this Order records it here rather than cover it over: he was Nero’s tutor; after Nero killed his mother, Seneca drafted the letter justifying it to the senate, and he did not leave.