Contents
Epictetus
Teaching the Stoic distinction between what we control and what we cannot.
Discourses · Enchiridion
- Born
- c. 50
- Birthplace
- Hierapolis, Roman Empire
- Died
- c. 135
More people
Epictetus
Greek Stoic teacher who moved from enslavement in Rome to leading a philosophical school. His pupil Arrian preserved teachings that still shape practical discussions of resilience and responsibility.
Early life
Born into slavery
Came from Hierapolis in Phrygia, in what is now Turkey, and lived enslaved in Rome.
Philosophical education
Studied with the Stoic teacher Musonius Rufus before gaining his freedom.
Career
- First century CE
Teaching in Rome
Began teaching philosophy after he was freed.
- c. 93 CE
Leaving Rome
Moved to Nicopolis after Emperor Domitian expelled philosophers from Rome.
- Early second century CE
A lasting school
Taught students including Arrian, whose records carried his ideas beyond the classroom.
Ideas & writings
Discourses
Arrian’s record of discussions about ethics and everyday conduct.
Enchiridion
A compact handbook drawn from his teachings.
Judgment and choice
Distinguished our own judgments and actions from external events we cannot command.
Beyond philosophy
A modest life
Ancient accounts describe simple habits and few possessions.
Surviving through a student
No writing in his own hand survives; the main texts depend on Arrian’s record of his teaching.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Institutional biography and career ↗Photo: William Sonmans / Michael Burghers. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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