Epictetus, Stoic Philosopher, became well known because of his great impacts on Roman understanding. “Stoicism is the belief that the individual is wholly responsible for his or her interpretations of circumstance and that all of life is natural and normal in spite of one's impressions” (Mark). With his teaching methods and loyal followers, his knowledge continued through years and years after his death. Even to today, Epictetus has made a mark on the people's self-understanding. Like many others, Epictetus was born in a lower class family. Born in Phrygian city Hierapolis, around 50 CE(never fully proven), Epictetus already held the occupation as a slave. His mother, also a slave, was never known or named. His owner, the rich and powerful freedman Tacitus Epaphroditus, who was also once a slave, brought down the Roman emperor to give freedom to himself and his fellow slaves. After being freed, Epictetus began expressing his opinions of life and philosophy. Amongst many other philosophers, he was banished by the emperor Domitian in the year 89 CE (Mark). Not long after, he opened his own school to teach philosophy in Nicopolis, Greece. Through lectures, Epictetus’ main purpose in class was to “encourage his students to live the philosophic life” …show more content…
Usually, “Stoics were materialists, and God is conceived of as a type of fiery breath that blends perfectly with all other matter in the universe” (Seddon). Epictetus frequently expressed his understanding of God, the universe, and himself; he refers to God as the captain who calls us back on board ship, being a metaphor of our inevitable death (Seddon). He also claims that “God is also portrayed as 'the Giver' to whom we should return all those things we have enjoyed on loan” (Seddon). If the Stoic progression was done correctly, “ they will never blame the gods, nor find fault with them”
Elise Beauchemin Mr. Mosher English 2 2/23/18 Aeneas and the Quintessence of Stoicism The Aeneid, an epic written by Virgil, thousands of years old and yet still read today by many. It tells the story of the Trojan hero, Aeneas, and his efforts to establish order and defend his homeland. Throughout the 9,896 lines of the poem, he lives according to the Ancient Roman ideals of the Stoic. He is the paragon of a Trojan hero who places duty above pleasure, controls his passions and appetites through the power of reason, does not let the storms and stress of life disturb his self-possession and composure, and practices the virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance.
Which is live your life and accept, now I may not agree with what’s happening like if I break my leg its broke already how did that even it happen Epictetus mind I would have to accept it and move on. How it happens and why it happens it’s out of my control I accept it calmly and dispassionately. Even a Great man that was influence by his studies served in the same branch as me(Admiral James Bond Stockdale). Epictetus save his life in a way the Stoic philosopher save his life when he was shot down in Vietnam war and became a prisoner of war.
Epictetus did not have any rivals. He was well liked and was influenced by many philosophers. Stoicism’s closest rival was Epicureanism. Epicureanism was founded by Epicurus and taught people how to not fear death and the supernatural, as well as finding happiness at any given time. Its main belief is that pleasure is the end of life.
In his Letter to Menoeceus, Epicurus discusses pleasure and desire and the human need to seek out pleasure. Epicurus explores the different kinds of desire and how they affect happiness. Happiness is the main goal. And happiness, is the maximization of pleasure. According to Epicurus there are three categories of desire that lead to pleasure.
An epic hero is someone who is brave, a strong leader, and faces big obstacles. In the book Edith Hamilton’s Mythology by Edith Hamilton, talks about gods, demigods, monsters, adventures, and tragic deaths. Perseus and Theseus are both demigods. They both go on adventures and face obstacles. Theseus is the better epic hero because he risks his life for the greater good of society.
Such as the weather outside, that's not up to us, but what we wear depending on the weather forecast is. If you act by this handbook he thinks that luck will not impact your life. Epictetus’ studies were based primarily on disastrous situations. Some of the main arguments of Epictetus came from studying such unexpected and horrid situations. First, what we already went over, we cannot change things that are not up to us, all we can do is not think about it and let it be.
Lucretius was a Roman poet, famous for Epicurean philosophy. He focused on themes that involved the way in which humans exist in the natural world. Through his ideas of superstition, atoms and mortality, Lucretius’ philosophy introduced a controversial yet systematic natural perspective into a society that was predominantly still reliant on mythical explanations. By emphasizing the importance of personal reasoning, Lucretius influenced many of his successors. At the time of publication, Roman society relied heavily on the idea of various Gods and Goddesses in order to compensate for their lack of understanding of the physical world.
Religion is a large part of modern life. It influences our belief system and values, as well as shapes who we are as human beings. However, most individuals decide upon and follow a belief system on a voluntary basis. Imagine not only being forced to follow a belief system, but having this system dominate your every action. This is the case for classic epic heroes, such as Oedipus, Odysseus, and Aeneas.
Epic Hero or Epic Zero Would one think of Odysseus as an epic hero? Although he had excessive pride and cheated on his wife, he has many traits that makes him an epic hero. For example, Odysseus was able to come up with a genius plan to injure Polyphemos before he could eat any more of Odysseus’ men, that demonstrates the trait of intelligence. Odysseus has been through many hardships and has always used his traits to help him get through any obstacle. Throughout Odysseus’ journey home, he demonstrates leadership, intelligence, and superhuman strength.
The Life of Marius, written by Plutarch, is a fascinating ancient source detailing the career of the Roman Gaius Marius, 127-86BC. While there are interpretive and reliability issues, the Life of Marius is a particularly useful and significant source. It is our only extensive primary source on Marius, who was a key political figure of late Republican Rome. Additionally, Plutarch’s work indicates not only many crucial military and political development in Rome in the time period, but also gives a reflection of Plutarch’s own Rome and its values and political climate.
Apart from Marcus Aurelius's prestigious political position, he was a well-known practitioner of stoicism. In fact his writing commonly old as "Meditations" is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of all of philosophy. The overarching theme that Marcus Aurelius attempts to convey, insta deal with your problems in an ideal and effective manner. He felt if you just miserably observe your problem, you wouldn't solve it as well as if you had just gotten it done
In the Story of the great Julius Caesar by Shakespeare there are two philosophies which include Stoicism and Epicureanism. Two characters that clearly stand by their beliefs are Brutus and Cassius. However before being explained, what is Stoicism and Epicureanism anyways? First off, what is Stoicism? Stoicism is a school that was founded in medieval times, it is a way of life for Brutus.
Stoicism was conceived in a world going into disrepair. Developed in Athens only a couple of decades after Alexander the Great's successes and sudden passing overturned the Greek world, Stoicism took off in light of the fact that it offered security and peace in a period of fighting and emergency. The Stoic ideology didn't guarantee material security or a peace in the great beyond; however it promised a steady joy in this life. Stoicism reveals to us that no satisfaction can be secure if it's established in alterable, destructible things.
Being the follower of Democritus, Epicurus followed Democritus’ view on what the world is composed of. He basically maintained that everything is composed of atoms in empty space. To him, the human life’s aim is pleasure, but his perception of pleasure was just
Michael Abou Chedid Personal Reflection Essay STOIC QUOTES Stoicism is an ancient philosophy founded in Athens, by Zeno of Citium, in the early 3rd century B.C. Although Stoic philosophers considered various subjects, principal teachings included how to lead a fulfilling and happy life and how to become better human beings. Up until today, the principles of Stoicism can be considered amongst the most applicable and realistic way of life for entrepreneurs, writers, and artists alike, to help them withstand tough times, and actually benefit from them. The Stoic philosophers have left behind an abundance of quotes that provide readers with a shift in perspective, and help individuals reflect on their own joy and serenity.