Epictetus, born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia, was a Greek philosopher of The Stoic Tradition who spent his early years as a slave in Rome before gaining his Freedom. His teachings were heavily influenced by Stoicism, emphasizing personal freedom and the cultivation of virtue. The Discourses, recorded by his pupil Arrian, were likely composed between 108 and 125 AD in Nicopolis, Greece, against the backdrop of Roman imperial rule, where Stoicism was thriving as a counterbalance to the era's excesses. Initially, the text resonated among intellectual circles as providing practical Ethics, eventually deepening Stoic Philosophy's foundation in Western Thought. Over centuries, its insights have influenced thinkers from Marcus Aurelius to Renaissance humanists, and even modern Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, showcasing its profound cross-cultural Impact.
Guiding Question
What truly holds the power: external events or your response to them?