Epictetus Research » Biography
Biography of Epictetus
Epictetus was born in Hierapolis, a Greek city in Asia Minor, roughly during AD 50. It is unknown exactly when he came to Rome. However, because he was a slave of Epaphroditus, a Nero court administrator, his arrival must have occurred at one of two points: before 68, in which Epaphroditus fled Rome, or after 81, in which he was allowed to return. The details of Epictetus’ education are a mystery. He studied some with Musonius Rufus, who was a Stoic philosopher and Roman senator. Once Epictetus was freed from slavery, he began lecturing. In 89, however, he was forced the leave the city. The edict of Domitian banned philosophers, such as Epictetus, from the Italian peninsula. After leaving Rome, he started a school in Nicopolis, a cultural center in Epirus in northwest Greece. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Biography
Epictetus Quotes
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. ” — Epictetus “The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” — Epictetus “To accuse others for one’s own misfortune is a sign of want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one’s education has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one’s education is complete.” — Epictetus “First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.” — Epictetus “The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. ” — Epictetus “Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when … Read entire article »
Filed under: Biography, Philosophy, Religion, Society
