Epictetus

Epictetus of Nicopolis (55-135 CE) was a Greek Stoic Philosopher who followed the School of Stoicism.

Epictetus worked as a slave teaching in Rome.
In c. 68 CE Epictetus became a Freedman.
93 CE Domitian banished all Philosophers and Epictetus fled to Nicopolis, Epirus, where founded his own School of Philosophy.

Zeno of Citium (335-264 BCE)
- Founder of the School of Stoicism and taught from a Building called the Stoa in Athens.
Chrysippus (c.290-207 BCE)
- The third Master of the Stoa after Zeno.
Gaius Musonius Rufus
- He was Epictetus’ Roman Tutor and taught Philosophy in Rome until he was sent into Exile in 65 CE.

The Foundation of all Philosophy is Self-Knowledge.
The Object of Philosophy is to purify the Mind.
Using Logic to Reason and reach a Judgement is Good, but must remain subordinate to practical concerns.
The World divides into two Parts:
- Things within our Control: Our Opinions, Impulses, Likes and Dislikes
- Things outside our Control: Our Bodies, Possessions, Glory and Power.
We must use our Reason to make Choices that lead to Good, and Freedom of the Soul.
If we allow the Things outside of our Control to Delude us, this leads to the Slavery of the Soul.
If we seek the Perfection of Reason, by overcoming the Irrational, controlling our Emotions and being wary of the Perception of Pleasure, we will achieve Peace of Mind.

Arrian (c.92-175 CE)
- He was one of his Students, and he later published his Tutor’s teachings from his own lecture notes in ‘Discourses’ c. 108 CE.
Hadrian (117-138 CE)
- He knew him well.
Marcus Aurelius (138-180 CE)
- He was strongly influenced by Epictetus in his Work ‘Meditations’.
Simplicious of Cilicia (490-560 CE)
- He wrote a Handbook on Epictetus with 53 Chapters,

‘Discourses’
- In 4 Books, (Originally possibly 5 or 8 Books) Arrian published these as his Lecture notes.
‘The Enchiridion’ (or ‘Manual’)
- Also compiled by Arrian in c.135 CE.
‘Fragments’.
- Also compiled by Arrian