1 Followers of stoicism believe that philosophy should not merely consist of complex lectures or heavy books. Stoicism moves philosophy beyond the academic realm and into the practice of meaningful self-transformation. The success of his philosophical works surpassed his lifetime and played a major role in the revival of stoic ideas during the Renaissance. 1 These days, however, it is through Seneca, born after this period, that people usually learn about stoicism. The ancient philosophy movement first emerged during the Hellenistic period (323 BC to 31 BC). He strove to live life to the fullest, and his philosophies help guide his followers down the same path. 1 He was adamant that we should only concern ourselves with what we can control - the present - and not base our decisions on what is uncertain - the future. He believed this could be achieved through an understanding of the world, nature, and himself. Overall, Seneca’s goal was to live meaningfully and authentically, as per stoic philosophy. Seneca was also known for his poetic tragedies that handled familiar Greek tragic themes. Aside from being a philosopher, Seneca was a statesman, an orator, and a playwright.

He did not spend his days with his head in the books, but rather practiced philosophy in everyday actions. Philosophy was not just something he studied - it was a way of life. However, Seneca was not your typical philosopher. He is one of the most influential figures of stoicism, a philosophical movement about the power of transformation through knowledge.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, most often referred to by his last name, was a prominent philosophical figure in the Roman Imperial Period (27 BC to AD 476).

Works of Seneca the Younger by Seneca