Epictetus
Biography
Epictetus was an ancient Greek Stoic philosopher, born into slavery in Hierapolis, Phrygia (present-day Pamukkale, Turkey) around 55 AD. His name itself means 'acquired' or 'possessive'. He was owned by Epaphroditus, a wealthy freedman and secretary to Emperor Nero. While enslaved in Rome, he was allowed to study philosophy under Musonius Rufus, a prominent Stoic teacher, who recognized Epictetus's intellectual potential. After gaining his freedom, likely after Nero's death, Epictetus established his own school of philosophy in Rome. However, around 92 AD, Emperor Domitian banished all philosophers from Rome, leading Epictetus to move to Nicopolis in Epirus (modern-day Greece), where he founded another highly influential school. He spent the rest of his life teaching there, attracting numerous students, including the future Emperor Hadrian. His teachings were not written down by himself but were meticulously recorded by his most famous student, Arrian, in two main works: the 'Discourses' (Diatribai) and the 'Enchiridion' (Manual). Epictetus's philosophy is characterized by its practical, ethical focus on living a virtuous life and achieving inner tranquility through understanding what is within one's control and what is not.
Selected Thoughts
«We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.»
«It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.»
«First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.»
Writing Style
Epictetus's 'written' works (as recorded by Arrian) primarily adopt a Socratic dialogue format, characterized by direct, conversational, and pedagogical prose. His style is clear, practical, and highly engaging, often using vivid metaphors, rhetorical questions, and personal anecdotes to illustrate complex philosophical concepts. He aimed to impart actionable wisdom rather than abstract theory, making his teachings accessible and directly applicable to daily life. The language is unembellished, focusing on ethical instruction and rational discourse to guide students toward virtue and tranquility.