Epictetus
Greek Stoic philosopher who taught control of one's own actions.
He lived in Rome until his banishment, then spent the rest of his life in Nicopolis, Greece.[1]
Quick Facts
- Region
- Western philosophy
- Era
- Hellenistic philosophy
- Born
- c. AD 50
- Birthplace
- Hierapolis, Phrygia (presumed)
- Died
- c. 135 (aged c. 85)
- Place of death
- Nicopolis, Epirus
- Notable works
- Discourses; Enchiridion
- School of thought
- Stoicism
Facts from the source article.
Life and work
The name "Epictetus" derives from the Greek word epíktētos, meaning "gained" or "acquired."[2] With his master's permission, he studied Stoic philosophy under Musonius Rufus.[3] His most famous pupil, Arrian, transcribed his lectures into the Discourses.[4] Epictetus lived simply, adopted a friend's child in old age, and died around AD 135.[5]
No writings by Epictetus himself are known to survive.[6] Following Nero's death in AD 68, Epictetus gained his freedom and started teaching philosophy in Rome.[7]
What the cited sources add
Origen records that when his master twisted his leg, Epictetus calmly said, "You will break my leg," and after it broke added, "Did I not tell you that you would break it?"[8] The Historia Augusta records that Hadrian treated Epictetus with the greatest friendship.[9] Aulus Gellius writes that the fact Epictetus had been a slave was still well-known in his own time.[10]
References
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "The Complete Works of Epictetus", Independently Published, 9 July 2017; Rowan Stevens, "<nowiki>Wise Quotes – Epictetus (294 Epictetus Quotes): Greek Stoic Philosophy", Rowan Stevens, 28 February 2022 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Greek Word Study Tool", www.perseus.tufts.edu; "Plato, Laws, section 924a", www.perseus.tufts.edu; Epaphroditus , livius.org; P. Christoforou, Imagining the Roman Emperor (2023), p. 22 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Epictetus, Discourses. i.7.32.; Epictetus, Discourses, i.9.29. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hendrik Selle: Dichtung oder Wahrheit – Der Autor der Epiktetischen Predigten. Philologus 145 [2001] 269–290; Epictetus, Discourses, prologue.; Epictetus, Discourses, i.11; ii.14; iii.4; iii. 7; etc.; Historia Augusta, Hadrian, 16.; Fox, Robin The Classical World: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian Basic Books. 2006 p. 578; A surviving second- or third-century work, Altercatio Hadriani Et Epicteti gives a fictitious account of a conversation between Hadrian and Epictetus. (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Simplicius, Commentary on the Enchiridion, 13.; Simplicius, Commentary on the Enchiridion, 46. There is a joke at Epictetus' expense in Lucian's Life of Demonax about the fact that he had no family.; Simplicius, Commentary on the Enchiridion, 46. It is possible that they were married, but Simplicius' language on that subject is ambiguous.; Lucian, Demoxan, c. 55, torn, ii., ed Hemsterh., p. 393; as quoted in A Selection from the Discourses of Epictetus With the Encheiridion (2009), p. 6; He apparently was alive in the reign of Hadrian (117–13 en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Epictetus, Discourses, prologue.; Photius, Bibliotheca, states that there were eight books. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Epictetus" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Douglas J. Soccio, Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy (2012), p. 197 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Origen, Contra Celcus. vii.. facts only, no text reused. earlychristianwritings.com
- Historia Augusta, Hadrian, 16.. facts only, no text reused. fordham.edu
- He apparently was alive in the reign of Hadrian (117–138). Marcus Aurelius (b. AD 121) was an admirer, but never met him, and Aulus Gellius (ii.18.10) writing m. facts only, no text reused. penelope.uchicago.edu
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Epictetus (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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