The Cambridge Companion to Seneca

This Companion examines the complete works of Seneca in context and establishes the importance of his legacy in Western thought.

Shadi Bartsch (Edited by), Alessandro Schiesaro (Edited by)

9781107694217, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 16 February 2015

378 pages, 4 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15 x 2.2 cm, 0.51 kg

'The Cambridge Companion to Seneca is a remarkable achievement, which has much to offer to advanced students and confirmed scholars looking for useful syntheses and suggestive, in-depth interpretations of the many aspects of this dazzling corpus.' François Prost, Bryn Mawr Classical Review

The Roman statesman, philosopher and playwright Lucius Annaeus Seneca dramatically influenced the progression of Western thought. His works have had an unparalleled impact on the development of ethical theory, shaping a code of behavior for dealing with tyranny in his own age that endures today. This Companion thoroughly examines the complete Senecan corpus, with special emphasis on the aspects of his writings that have challenged interpretation. The authors place Seneca in the context of the ancient world and trace his impressive legacy in literature, art, religion, and politics from Neronian Rome to the early modern period. Through critical discussion of the recent proliferation of Senecan studies, this volume compellingly illustrates how the perception of Seneca and his particular type of Stoicism has evolved over time. It provides a comprehensive overview that will benefit students and scholars in classics, comparative literature, history, philosophy and political theory, as well as general readers.

1. Seneca: an introduction Shadi Bartsch and Alessandro Schiesaro
Part I. The Senecan Corpus: 2. Seneca multiplex: the phases (and phrases) of Seneca's life and works Susanna Braund
3. Senecan tragedy Christopher Trinacty
4. Absent presence in Seneca's Epistles: philosophy and friendship Catharine Edwards
5. The dialogue in Seneca's Dialogues (and other moral essays) Matthew Roller
6. Seneca on monarchy and the political life: De Clementia, De Tranquillitate Animi, De Otio Malcolm Schofield
7. Seneca's scientific works Francesca Romana Berno
8. Seneca's Apocolocyntosis: censors in the afterworld Kirk Freudenburg
Part II. Texts and Contexts: 9. Seneca and Augustan culture James Ker
10. Seneca and Neronian Rome: in the mirror of time Victoria Rimell
11. Style and form in Seneca's writings Gareth Williams
12. Seneca's images and metaphors Mireille Armisen-Marchetti
13. Theater and theatricality in Seneca's world Cedric A. J. Littlewood
14. Seneca's emotions David Konstan
Part III. Senecan Tensions: 15. Senecan selves Shadi Bartsch
16. Seneca's shame David Wray
17. Theory and practice in Seneca's life and writings Carey Seal
18. Seneca's originality Elizabeth Asmis
19. Seneca and Epicurus: the allure of the other Alessandro Schiesaro
Part IV. The Senecan Tradition: 20. Seneca and the ancient world Aldo Setaioli
21. Seneca and Christian tradition Chiara Torre
22. Seneca redivivus: Seneca in the medieval and Renaissance world Roland Mayer
23. Senecan political thought from the Middle Ages to early modernity Peter Stacey
24. Seneca and the Moderns Francesco Citti.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literature: history & criticism [DS], Plays, playscripts [DD]