Lucius Annaeus Seneca was born in 4 BC in Córdoba, Hispania (Spain). At around age 5, he relocated to Rome and completed a traditional high-class education which consisted of rhetoric, grammar, and literature. While still quite young, he was exposed to Stoic philosophy and embarked on this path for many years. As he accumulated knowledge and gained more insight into life, he began to have a great influence in the political arena and was deemed an important and wise mind. Consequently, he earned a seat in the Roman Senate.

While in the Senate, he escaped death due to his existing illness, but was subsequently banished by the new emperor, Claudius. For 7-8 years, he lived in exile on the island of Corsica, until by pure chance, he was recalled to Rome to tutor the future emperor, Nero.

Seneca tutored Nero for many years, leading up to his reign, and continued to serve as an advisor for several years after. In 65 AD, Seneca got caught up in a conspiracy to murder Nero, that many believe he had nothing to do with, and was subsequently ordered to commit suicide. His suicide became one of his greatest moments, as it demonstrated his inspiration for resistance against tyranny.

Many believe that his philosophy on life and subsequent teachings helped create the global interest in Stoicism, driving its influence into the future. Seneca believed in self-improvement and the consistent pursuit of personal development. He emphasized finding daily opportunities to grow through learning and understanding of oneself. He firmly believed in living in the present moment and acting upon one's feelings.

In order to obtain and sustain happiness, Seneca believed that we must evaluate ourselves and seek the truth within our values, morals, and ideologies. We must work towards the truth we believe is within us, and it is only ourselves who can judge us. It is within ourselves that we can find the truth and, within that truth, discover fulfillment and happiness.

He believed in seeking others who we can learn from, while embracing opportunities to teach. For it is within the teaching that can truly help develop our minds, and understandings of life.

The more I read into Senaca and his teachings, the more I realised just how vast his knowledge and wisdom of life reaches. He wrote several significantly, impactful books on stoicism and life, which have traversed through the ages. Books I’ll will delve deeper into, in the search for happiness

"The duty of a man is to be useful to his fellow man." - Senaca

Thanks,

Dean