The Enduring Relevance of Stoicism

Stoicism, a philosophy that thrived for 480 years in ancient Greece and Rome, was embraced by people across all social classes—from slaves to aristocrats. Unlike many philosophical traditions, Stoicism was deeply practical, offering guidance during times of panic, despair, and rage. Today, we still honor this philosophy whenever we describe someone as “stoic” in the face of adversity.

Two Great Stoic Philosophers

The two most renowned Stoic philosophers were Seneca and Marcus Aurelius.

• Seneca (AD 4–65): A Roman writer and tutor to the infamous emperor Nero, Seneca met a tragic end when Nero ordered him to commit suicide in front of his own family.
• Marcus Aurelius (AD 121–180): The Roman emperor spent much of his reign defending the empire against........
  

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