Join us as we examine the contradictory life of Lucius Annaeus Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65), the Roman statesman, dramatist, and philosopher who attempted to guide the erratic Emperor Nero. In this episode, we explore how a man exiled to Corsica for alleged adultery returned to Rome to become one of the empire's most powerful advisors, governing alongside Burrus during the competent early years of Nero's reign.

We delve into the "stock criticism" that has followed Seneca for centuries: the stark contrast between his Stoic advocacy for a simple life and his accumulation of massive wealth, including estates in Egypt and Italy. We also discuss his literary output, ranging from ethical Letters to Lucilius—which advise on managing anger and confronting mortality—to his grim, influential tragedies like Medea and Thyestes. F ...