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Seneca was born in Cordoba, Spain, the second son of Helvia and Marcus (Lucius) Annaeus Seneca, a wealthy rhetorician known as Seneca the Elder. Seneca's older brother, Gallio , was proconsul at Achaia (where early Christian documents recall he encountered the apostle Paul about AD 52). Seneca was uncle to the poet Lucan, by his younger brother, Annaeus Mela.
A sickly child, he was taken to Rome by an aunt for schooling. He was trained in rhetoricRhetoric (from Greek ρητωρ, rhetor "orator") is one of the three original liberal arts or trivium (the other members are dialectic and grammar). While it has meant many different things during its 2500-year history, it is generally d, and studied neo-Pythagorean and, principally, Stoic philosophy.
Under his father's and aunt's guidance, he established a successful career as an advocate. Around 37For alternate uses, see Number 37. Events March 18 The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Caligula Roman Emperor. Abilene is granted to Agrippa I. Peter founds the Syrian Orthodox Church. traditional date) Births December 15 Nero, Roman Empe he was nearly killed as a result of a conflict with the emperor CaligulaGaius Julius Caesar Germanicus ( August 31, AD 12 January 24, AD 41), also known as Gaius Caesar or Caligula was the third Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from AD 37 to 41. Known for his extremely extravagant, eccentric, and sometimes, who only spared him because he believed the sickly Seneca would not live long anyhow. In 41For alternate uses, see Number 41. Events January 24 Claudius succeeds his nephew Caligula as Roman Emperor. Claudius makes Agrippa king of Judea. Messalina, wife of Claudius, persuaded Claudius to have Seneca the Younger banished to Corsica on a charge o, MessalinaValeria Messalina ( 17 48) was the third wife of the Roman emperor Claudius. She was the daughter of Domitia Lepida and Marcus Valerius Messalla Barbatus. Her father was the son of Marcus Valerius Messala Messallinus and Claudia Marcella Minor, daughter t, wife of the emperor ClaudiusFor other Romans named Claudius see Claudius (gens). Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus ( August 1, 10 BC October 13, 54), originally known as Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus was the third Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling fro, persuaded Claudius to have him banished to Corsica on a charge of adultery with Julia LivillaJulia Livilla the Younger ( 18- 42 AD) was the youngest child of Agrippina the Elder and Germanicus. She was mainly raised by her mother, the Emperor Tiberius, his mother Livia Drusilla and her grandmother Antonia Minor. She was born on the Greek Island o. He spent his exile in philosophical and natural study, and wrote the Consolations.
In 49, Claudius' new wife, Agrippina, had him recalled to Rome to tutor her son, L. Domitius, who was to become the emperor Nero. On Claudius' murder in 54, Agrippina secured the recognition of Nero as emperor over Claudius' son, Britannicus.
For the first five years, the quinquennium Neronis, Nero ruled wisely under the influence of Seneca and the praetorian prefect, Sextus Afranius Burrus. But, before long, Seneca and Burrus had lost their influence over Nero and his reign became tyrannical. With the death of Burrus in 62, Seneca retired and devoted his time to more study and writing.
In 65, Seneca was accused of being involved in a plot to murder Nero, the Pisonian conspiracy. Without a trial, he was ordered by Nero to commit suicide. Tacitus gives an account of the suicide of Seneca and his wife, Pompeia Paulina, who chose to follow her husband in death.
Seneca's works include a satire, a meteorological essay, philosophical essays, 124 letters dealing with moral issues, and ten tragedies. Seneca's brand of Stoic philosophy emphasized ethics. His plays strongly influenced Renaissance tragic drama, especially the literature of Elizabethan England. Some of Seneca's works include: