Hardship and Happiness (The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and advisor to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection helps restore Seneca—whose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emerson—to his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. Hardship and Happiness collects a range of essays intended to instruct, from consolations—works that offer comfort to someone who has suffered a personal loss—to pieces on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Expertly translated, the essays will be read and used by undergraduate philosophy students and experienced scholars alike. Essays from the Stoic philosopher instructing how to find happiness in a world full of adversity. Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and advisor to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection helps restore Seneca—whose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emerson—to his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. Hardship and Happiness collects a range of essays intended to instruct, from consolations—works that offer comfort to someone who has suffered a personal loss—to pieces on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Expertly translated, the essays will be read and used by undergraduate philosophy students and experienced scholars alike. Praise for Hardship and Happiness "[The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca] brings together many preeminent anglophone scholars of Seneca as editors and translators and succeeds in its aim to reach a wider audience through readable, modern English translations. . . . The overall high quality of the translations and notes make this volume (and its respective series) highly desirable for scholars and libraries alike." — Classical Journal "A significant improvement over what has been available in English of the previous century. . . . The translations presented here admirably achieve the aim set out by the series' editors: 'to be faithful to the Latin while reading idiomatically in English.' . . . Hardship and Happiness is a handsome volume, beautifully conceived and executed." — Review of Metaphysics "We owe a debt of gratitude to Chicago for this one-volume selection of essays from long ago, which still have the power to stimulate our minds today." — Classics for All Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BCE–65 CE) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, dramatist, statesman, and advisor to the emperor Nero, all during the Silver Age of Latin literature. The Complete Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a fresh and compelling series of new English-language translations of his works in eight accessible volumes. Edited by world-renowned classicists Elizabeth Asmis, Shadi Bartsch, and Martha C. Nussbaum, this engaging collection helps restore Seneca—whose works have been highly praised by modern authors from Desiderius Erasmus to Ralph Waldo Emerson—to his rightful place among the classical writers most widely studied in the humanities. __Hardship and Happiness__ collects a range of essays intended to instruct, from consolations—works that offer comfort to someone who has suffered a personal loss—to pieces on how to achieve happiness or tranquility in the face of a difficult world. Expertly translated, the essays will be read and used by undergraduate philosophy students and experienced scholars alike. Contents 6 Seneca and His World 10 Note on Essays and Their Sequence 30 Consolation to Marcia 32 Translator's Introduction 34 Consolation to Marcia 37 Notes 68 Consolation to Helvia 74 Translator’s Introduction 76 Consolation to Helvia 79 Notes 104 Consolation to Polybius 108 Translator’s Introduction 110 Consolation to Polybius 112 Notes 132 On the Shortness of Life 136 Translator’s Introduction 138 On the Shortness of Life 141 Notes 166 On the Constancy of the Wise Person 172 Translator’s Introduction 174 On the Constancy of the Wise Person 180 Notes 200 References 204 On Tranquility of Mind 206 Translator’s Introduction 208 On Tranquility of Mind 213 Notes 240 Bibliography 246 On Leisure 248 Translator’s Introduction 250 On Leisure 253 Notes 262 On the Happy Life 264 Translator’s Introduction 266 On the Happy Life 271 Notes 298 References 303 On Providence 306 Translator’s Introduction 308 On Providence 313 Notes 330 References 334 Index 336 Seneca And His World -- Consolation To Marcia -- Consolation To Helvia -- Consolation To Polybius -- On The Shortness Of Life -- On The Constancy Of The Wise Person -- On Tranquility Of Mind -- On Leisure -- On The Happy Life -- On Providence. Seneca ; Translations By Elaine Fantham, Harry M. Hine, James Ker, And Gareth D. Williams. Translated From The Latin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.