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Discourses, Books 1–2

By Epictetus
Series: Loeb Classical Library
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Discourses, Books 1–2 captures the teachings of Epictetus, a former Greek slave turned Stoic philosopher. Recorded by his student Arrian, these two books offer practical guidance on living a virtuous life, emphasising the power of the will, acceptance of fate, and conformity to the divine order of nature. Epictetus portrays the ideal Stoic as a rational being harmonising personal conduct with universal reason.
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Format: Hardback
$5999
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Ideal for readers interested in Stoic philosophy, ancient wisdom, and ethical living. Suitable for students of classical philosophy and those seeking practical moral guidance.

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Unlike his predecessors, Epictetus (c. 50 120 CE), who grew up as a slave, taught Stoicism not for the select few but for the many. A student, the historian Arrian, recorded Epictetus s lectures and, in the Encheiridion, a handbook, summarized his thought.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Epictetus was a crippled Greek slave of Phrygia during Nero's reign (54–68 CE) who heard lectures by the Stoic Musonius before he was freed. Expelled with other philosophers by the emperor Domitian in 89 or 92, he settled permanently in Nicopolis in Epirus. There, in a school which he called 'healing place for sick souls', he taught a practical philosophy. Details of his teachings were recorded by Arrian, a student of his, and survive in four books of Discourses and a smaller Encheiridion, a handbook which briefly presents the chief doctrines of the Discourses. He apparently lived into the reign of Hadrian (117–138 CE).

Epictetus was a teacher of Stoic ethics, broad and firm in method, sublime in thought, and by turns humorous, sad, or severe in spirit. How should one live righteously? Our god-given will is our paramount possession, and we must not covet others'. We must not resist fortune. Man is part of a system; humans are reasoning beings (in feeble bodies) and must conform to god's mind and the will of nature. Epictetus presents us with a vivid picture of the perfect (Stoic) man.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Discourses, Books 1–2 by Epictetus is available in two volumes.

Series: Loeb Classical Library

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674991453

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 January 1925

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Illustration: Index

Contributors:

  • Translated by W. A. Oldfather
  • Translated by W. A. Oldfather
  • Translated by W. A. Oldfather

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 108.0mm

Height: 162.0mm

Weight: 363g

Pages: 480

Collections

Ancient & Classical History Arts & Culture Biography & Memoir Epictetus Non-Fiction Series: Loeb Classical Library

About the Author

William Abbott Oldfather (1880–1945), one of America’s most important classicists, was a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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